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Fundraiser for fair fun March 16

ALPENA –The Alpena County Fair Board, Alpena County Horsemen’s Club, and other community partners are working with one another to help make the annual county fair the best it can be.

In order to do so, however, it is going to take public participation, planning and — most of all — money.

On March 16, the Horsemen’s Club will host a special fundraising event to help pay for a children’s event at the fair, which runs from Aug. 12 to 17.

Club spokesperson Jackie Konecke said the party at the APlex will feature the band H-Bone Groove performing classic rock and county music, as well as a silent auction. There will also be concessions available, including Tony burgers, which are a local favorite. She said all of the funds raised will be put toward the fair event.

Tickets are $8 in advance at Neiman’s Family Market and the APlex. Tickets at the door will be $10.

“It is going to be a great time and band is great and we have some great items that will be up for bid,” Konecke said. “In order to get the best fair we can, it is going to take everybody to come together and join hands to make it happen, and this is a good way to begin to do that.”

Konecke said the club has been involved with the fair for years and used to host a day where kids could enter the carnival and enjoy the rides for free. She said the money fair-goers saved from that was often spent on vendors at the fair, which helps them because often they are set up by other service organizations in Alpena.

“We had to take a step back and look at different paths we can take,” she said. “We are always looking for new and exciting things to do to help make the fair better and more enjoyable for families. We are also listening to public input on how to make the fair better. We will continue to work with 4-H and the Alpena County Fair Board to not only grow the fair, but the community as a whole. ”

Konecke said the fair is comprised of many volunteers that make hosting it possible. She said club members can be found scattered around the event daily, helping attendees and handling chores like ticket sales.

As far as planning for this year’s fair, Konecke said she has noticed the fair board working hard to make the event a success. She said it seems planning is moving along smoothly and it is also dedicated to helping return the fair to its glory days.

Last year, the fair was scaled back after a scheduling conflict with the carnival vendor, and the fair board has been battling budget issues for years. Despite that, Konecke said the board is making headway in building it back up, with the help of its partners.

“The board is made up of a great group of people and they are working really hard,” she said. “If everyone can come together and work together, I think the fair can come back as strong as ever.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpeanews.com.

If you go

∫ WHAT: Alpena County Fair fundraiser

∫ WHEN: 7 to 11 p.m. March 16

∫ WHERE: The APlex, 701 Woodward Ave.

∫ HOW MUCH: $8 in advance, $10 at the door

∫ INFO: Live music from H-Bone Groove and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit a children’s event at the Alpena County Fair in August. Tickets are available at the APlex or at Neiman’s Family Market. Call 989-354-6164 for more information.

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