Cook-off and cornhole at first fairground fundraiser

The Crook County Facilities Department is introducing an annual fundraiser to support its ongoing goal to make the fairground an enticing destination for events both familiar and new.

“It’s going to start building our pot of money for the future,” says Jasmyne Bryant, Event Coordinator.

“We’ve been going after grants for some of our fairground improvements and part of that is that we do have to match money.”

The proceeds from this fundraiser will kick-start a fund through which the department can continue its work to update and improve the fairground’s facilities.

“There’s going to be an annual fundraiser every year and then things throughout the year, hopefully to help support our improvements – our new outdoor arena, the barn being improved, which is already underway, and those kinds of things, and to help maintain what we have already,” Bryant says.

Since she took on the role a year ago, Bryant’s efforts have already born fruit.

“I already have new stuff coming in that’s never been seen at the fairgrounds before. They’ve been in Crook County, but they haven’t been localized,” she says.

“The fair board has been really good at saying hey, maybe you should reach out to the fairgrounds and see if you can have it there. I’ve got a lot of new events coming up towards the end of the summer that hopefully, if it’s a good turnout, will come back yearly.”

To start filling that money pot, the community is invited to a day-long event at the fairgrounds on May 4, to include a smoker cook-off, a cornhole tournament, dinner and auctions.

“Everything starts around 2 p.m.,” says Bryant.

“The cornhole starts around three and it will go until it’s over, the cook-off starts that morning or however people want

The cornhole tournament will take place in the Big Barn and includes a category for experienced players and another, says Bryant, “If you’re like me and kind of know how to play and just like to throw the bags around.”

In addition, she says, “There will be a kids’ tournament if enough interest is sparked.”

Bring your own partner if possible, but Bryant says there will also be a blind draw tournament for solo competitors. Registration opens at 2 p.m.

Entrants in the smoker cook-off have the option to take advantage of pork loins provided on request, but can also choose to cook a different meat at their own expense. Each entry must include a side dish, but no dessert.

“They can bring their smokers down here or their grills down here at the fairgrounds and cook all day,” Bryant says,

“Plates, utensils and those kinds of things are going to be on us.”

The entries will be judged at 4 p.m. and the prize a jackpot consisting of 90% of the entry fees, with the remaining 10% going towards the fundraiser.

The entries will then be served as part of the evening’s meal offerings.

“People can just go around and eat from whoever they want to after we get it judged,” Bryant says.

Alongside the contest entries, regardless of how many there are, “There’s going to be pulled pork,” Bryant says. These entrées will be prepared by Facilities Director Larry Schommer and Commissioner Bob Latham.

The closing date for entries is April 27.

“It would be nice if people would let me know if they would like to enter and participate, so we know how much meat we need to get, if they are going the pork route, so that it’s here in time,” Bryant says.

“We do have to have the grocery stores order it, as that’s their donation to the event.”

The daytime events will then give way to an evening of food and fun. Meal tickets can be purchased for an individual, a couple or a family pass, including up to three kids, while children under ten can eat free.

“There’s going to be a cash bar and there will be an ATM on site. There’s going to be a live auction item – possibly more – and a silent auction as well throughout the day,” Bryant says.