New rabbit barn now under construction

VW County Fair Board information

From talks that started nearly 10 years ago, a brand new Rabbit Barn at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds is finally close to reality. Truly a community effort and over two years of fund raising has paid off. The Van Wert Youth and Adult Rabbit Clubs, The 4-H’s Bunny Hoppers, rabbit exhibitors from all clubs, and members of the community have managed to raise funds to provide new accommodations to the more than 600 rabbits per year that visit during fair week.

The old rabbit barn is an icon on the county fairgrounds and holds countless memories for past exhibitors, parents, children, and rabbit lovers everywhere. Saturdays of the fair is the open rabbit show, which is an American Rabbit Breeders Association-sanctioned event that brings in rabbit exhibitors for the Senior Fair Rabbit Show from a five-state area, so this barn literally has regional draw.

Unfortunately, time and weather had left the building in structural decay. Last year, plastic was needed to keep rain water off the animals. Decision makers considered repair of the old building and trying to save the original barn; however, the extent of the repairs made construction of a whole new building more feasible and realistic.

Fundraising began with bake sales organized by former Rabbit Barn Superintendent and current Fair Board Director Ann Marshall. Then, two years ago, things really took off when Leslie Marbaugh won grand champion with her rabbit and donated her winnings towards the new barn. Since then, countless volunteers have donated time, money, and elbow grease. The townships have hauled in stone and the entire community has pulled together to make a new rabbit barn a reality.

Construction of the new $80,000 rabbit barn is underway and can be seen by those driving by the fairgrounds. This past Saturday, volunteers were busy removing all the cages and equipment from the old rabbit barn in preparation of its demolition, which is scheduled for this week.

Fundraising efforts also included 15 new sections of rabbit cages. Ideally, in the years to come, all of the cages will be replaced with new ones; but, until then, the best of the old cages are all being scrubbed and cleaned.

Come fair time, ol’ Bugs and his buddies will have new digs worth stopping in to see.

Those interested in donating to the continuing efforts to maintain and equip the Rabbit Barn can contact or donate to The Van Wert County Foundation with the earmark “Rabbit Barn”.