The Scio Fairgrounds and Event Center Project Gets Under way!
by Greg Schneider 8/17/2018
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For years now Scio residents have talked about the need to expand the Linn County Lamb and Wool Fair and a permanent home for the North West Champion Sheepdog Trials. The Linn County Lamb and Wool Fair is a wonderful family event that captures the true spirit of Scio. It focuses on our history, our agriculture and the pleasures of small town living. It is a jewel in Scio’s annual calendar. Yet we all know that downtown is full to overflowing during Lamb Fair. The “Wool” part of the Lamb Fair has struggled to find space and is currently held in the back of the feed store. Other aspects of the Lamb Fair have no room to grow. The North West Champion Sheepdog Trials are a great compliment to the Lamb Fair that focus on farm life and rural traditions. However, the Dog Trials are often challenged with finding a suitable location.  Some locations have not been very close to the city and all lack sufficient parking, camping and other facilities needed to host the many visitors who come to our community. The supporters of the Scio Fairgrounds and Event Center Project think it is time to change all of that!​
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We know that this is a big task and that it is not going to happen overnight. We also know that every journey starts with the first steps and we have already begun to move down the road to a better future and with your support we will get it done! We have talked with folks around the community to gauge support and we think we have it. Hundreds of area residents have signed a petition in support of this idea and dozens have volunteered time and energy to make the Scio Fairgrounds and Event Center a reality. The City of Scio, the Linn County Lamb and Wool Fair and the Scio Community Improvement Organization have all contributed seed money to support the effort. The Linn County Cultural Coalition issued our first grant to support fundraising for the project. The SFEC has filed paperwork to form a Section 501(c)3 non-profit for the purpose of building this facility.
The Scio Fairground and Event Center (SFEC) Project is an effort dedicated to building a self-sustaining facility where locals and visitors alike can experience the unique cultural practices and values of the Scio community in an enhanced environment. The Scio Fairgrounds and Event Center Project plans to purchase a property on the outskirts of Scio for this facility. ​
The location is yet to be determined. The property must be large enough to host the North West Champion Sheepdog Trials and have space for additional activities. Plans include a visitors’ center, a parking lot, livestock facilities and more. We will develop it as we go based on what the community wants and is willing to support. The project could support all kinds of activities related to agriculture, education, music and the arts. Festivals and fairs of all kinds are possible. The activity generated there will help support our local economy without changing the nature of what Scio is all about!
The SFEC Board knows that in order to keep this project sustainable on an ongoing basis, the Scio Fairgrounds and Event Center must support more activity than can happen on a single weekend. With that in mind, our goal is to be able to use this resource year round. We have talked with people around the city and identified issues that impact Scio and could be incorporated into the project.
  • Did you know that the Scio Historical Museum, which is now tucked behind the Stultz Brothers Feed Store, has had issues with flooding?
  • Did you know that they would like to be on higher ground and with a more visible and easily accessed location?  
  • Did you know that the Future Farmers of America would like a training facility for class room instruction and hands on experience for students and that there is an effort to build a skate park in Scio?
  • Did you know there is nowhere for visitors to stay or to camp while visiting Scio?

The Scio Fairgrounds and Event Center could help provide solutions to all of these issues. ​
We are already working hard to turn this idea into a reality. We are talking with potential sponsors, exploring grants and have two fund raisers ongoing! ​
You can participate in our Buy a Brick program by going to https://polarengraving.com/sciofairgroundsandeventcenter.
​By purchasing a brick through this website, you will be supporting our efforts. Your brick will be prominently displayed in the landscaping around the visitors’ center or on a pathway within the Fairgrounds.  Your contribution will be used to procure, develop and enhance the Fairgrounds.
​You can also join us October 27th at the ZCBJ Hall for “A Tale of Four Scios,” an evening of entertainment including music, dinner and historical reenactments as well as a vision for the future. You won’t want to miss out!
​We know we cannot do this without you and we are counting on you to help shape the future by getting behind this project. If you would like more information, have questions or want to help by volunteering, contributing or just providing us with advice, contact any of your neighbors on the SFEC Board of Directors. The Board of the Scio Community Fairground Project is made up of nine area resident, all volunteers, who have come together to help make this idea a reality. Scio Fairgrounds and Event Center Board Members are Brett Potts, Josh Garton, Elizabeth Stultz, Doug Branch, Robert Schmidig, LaVonne Murray, Rob Zurfluh,  Greg Schneider and Starla Becker-Tillinghast. Come talk to us - we are eager to hear your thoughts and to get you involved!
Imagine what we can accomplish when we all work together!