Baby Land comes down for new building

VW County Fair Board information

Wednesday afternoon at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds was bittersweet, as the building known as Baby Land came down to make way for the construction of a brand new Farm Bureau facility that will break ground later this week, weather pending.

The new facility will house much-needed bathrooms and showers to replace the former Junior Fair facilities. In January, Farm Bureau will start a 60-day capital campaign to continue to raise funding for the new building, estimated to cost between $200,000 and $300,000, dependent upon volunteer time and effort.

The intention is to have the new Farm Bureau facility complete and operational by summer, but more importantly before the 2015 Van Wert County Fair, which begins September 2, 2015.

Future plans are to reconstruct Baby Land in the location where the former Farm Bureau structure stood. During the 2015 fair, the Van Wert County Fair Board is entertaining the option of a Baby Land tent in that location for the baby animal display until a new home for Baby Land can be built.

Anyone looking to donate to the efforts or volunteer services toward the cause may contact Van Wert County Farm Bureau or the Fair Board.