Check for over $89,000 presented to the Elkhart County Fair from the Fair Adult Prom Committee. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

The second annual Elkhart County 4-H Fair Adult Prom raised $89,820.39 towards the timber bridge project to one day connect the fairgrounds to CR 35/College Avenue.

The check was presented Wednesday evening during the monthly Elkhart County Fair Board Meeting. Jill Garris, event organizer, stated the goal for this year was $75,000. The goal for the first prom was set at $50,000, which was also surpassed. Additionally Michael Christofeno was introduced as this year’s prom king. The queen was his date Linda Schulz.

The 2016 prom will be held on March 19, at Oakwood with the ability to host 700 guests. Tickets will go on sale Dec. 1, 2015.

With 100 days left (as of Wednesday, April 15) before the start of the 2015 Elkhart County 4-H Fair updates were provided in several areas.

It was announced the concession stand committee is working on filling the former Elkhart Noon Exchange club’s building with other organizations. Tim Yoder stated conversations are being held with interested 4-H clubs, civic clubs and professionals. He noted the order of preference to operate the stand will be 4-H, civic and then professionals. The stand will continue offering the same menu, including bison, as offered before.

Josh Culp reported the long range committee approved additions to the medical building and a new brooder house on Young McDonald’s farm was also approved. A brainstorming session will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 24 regarding master planning with community leaders and others.

Board members approved an additional 100 feet to the deceleration lane along CR 34 at Gate 7. Rich Utley, board president, stated $125,000 has been budgeted for the project, originally 120 feet. Bids have been received well under the budget amount and even with the additional 100 feet, will still be well below the original estimate. Completion will occur before the 2015 fair.

Jan Robinson, recycling committee, shows one of the type of containers being accepted towards a bench.

Utley also announced work has begun on adding fiber optic WiFi to the fairgrounds, which is hoped to be installed by the end of May.

Volunteers to work shifts in the historical society room, the toddler course and the first Saturday of the fair for corporate picnics are being sought. Applications for the fair queen contest are available and the “jumbo trons” will be available for the tractor pull.

During announcements:

• It was noted the goat club will host identification days on April 25 and May 2 for market classes.
• Jan Robinson announced 20 pounds of bottle cap lids have been received so far for toward a 6-foot bench. She also presented other types of items which can be collected: lids off coffee creamers, Yoder cottage cheese lids, medicine bottles and caps without information to name a few.
• Livestock clubs have to have animals registered on line by May 15.
• Real Colors, a personality assessment pool, will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 5, in the extension office, with board members invited to attend.
• The yearly talent show will be held at 7 p.m. April 23, at Northridge High School
• Mary Ann Leinhart Cross announced booklets with all Home and Family Arts contests are available. A cookbook is being compiled for next year of recipes from various contests including the president’s baked items. She is attempting to locate Bonnie Bulter, the 2006 winner, as that recipe cannot be located.