The San Juan County Fair has been an annual celebratory mark of summer and favorite event for islanders for nearly 100 years. But a hundred years takes its toll.

Since 1906 farmers had gathered sporadically to display a flourishing agricultural industry. Nearly 0ne hundred years ago, as a show of community spirit island families each brought a log to construct the Pioneer Log Cabin and constructed the original main fair building.

“This is as close to a community center as we have,” Brandon Cadwell, Park and Fair Director, said. “We host 200-300 events a year.”

Some of the buildings are showing signs of all that love, however, so restoration and improvement projects are in the works to provide the community enjoyment for decades to come.

The first project to get underway is the original Pioneer Log Cabin. The roof will be replaced and lifted off the ground, and the white paint will be removed to restore the logs to their original color, according to Cadwell. The paint restoration will likely not begin until 2024, however.

“Being able to work on this with the Historical Museum to restore it in time for the 100-year anniversary feels really special,” Cadwell added. Work is expected to begin in June.

HistoriCorps, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides volunteers of all skill levels with hands-on experience preserving historic structures on public lands across America will be heading up the renovations. Volunteers work with HistoriCorps field staff to learn preservation skills and put those skills to work saving historic places that have fallen into disrepair. The project will span five weeks and reach final completion by the end of July.

The biggest project coming up are improvements to the Marie Boe building located just behind the current Main Building. The main entry to the Marie Boe is now located on the west-facing side of the building, looking directly toward the Main building. Islanders might recognize it as the building where Island Stage Left often holds their winter performances.

In fact, according to Cadwell, in working to design the remodel fair staff reached out to Stage Left, 4-H and other frequent users to see what their needs were and what improvements could be made to accommodate them better.

This month Boss Construction, Inc. will begin working on renovations to the Marie Boe building. A restroom and shower facilities will be added to the north side, while on the south side, San Juan County invested additional funds to provide a separate space for the County’s Emergency Operations Center during times of coordinated crisis.

“It became a main meeting hub for responders during Covid,” Cadwell explained, therefore it made sense to incorporate an emergency center into the plan.

“There will also be demonstration plazas, a new roof, acoustic paneling, and a higher-quality lighting system,” said Cadwell. “Fingers crossed, completion is scheduled for early August, right before the Fair.”

The fairgrounds were originally going to hire a contractor for both the Marie Boe and the Jim Krook buildings, however, no local contractors put in any bids, and the cost of off-island work drove the cost into the millions. As a result, Boss Construction was selected for work on the Marie Boe, and the multi-talented fairgrounds staff will work on Jim Krook.

“With everyone overworked and understaffed it has been difficult getting plumbers, electricians and other professionals when problems arise,” Cadwell explained. “As a result, fairgrounds staff has become adept at an array of fixing and repair jobs.”

“They are amazing, I call them my fix-it crew,” Cadwell said.

The Jim Crook building was constructed in 1924 to display equipment for tourists to view. That lasted two years. Currently arts and crafts exhibits during the fair are held there, and occasionally small group gatherings. As it’s rebuilt insulation will be added, along with new flooring.

“We want to turn it into a nice place where small groups could meet year-round,” Cadwell said, adding that perhaps yoga classes could be taught there.

There will also be some aesthetic changes to the fairgrounds. The concrete plaza off the Main building will be extended, bathrooms upgraded, and the covered picnic area will be revamped to give it a country look. Stormwater and drainage issues are being addressed and the parking lot will be improved with chip seal and asphalt. To reduce waste, especially plastics, refillable water bottle stations will be installed.

Sadly the historical Boy Scout Building by the northwest gate was unable to be saved, and was torn down earlier this year.

“It was dangerous on a number of fronts,” Cadwell explained, including rotten flooring. “It meant a lot of things to a lot of people, so it was heartbreaking to see it go.”

With the current renovations, the remaining historical buildings will remain for generations to come.

“We want to make sure this is a safe space, and a high quality event center year round lasting well into the future,” Cadwell said.