The Chamber would like to congratulate the Ripley County Department of Parks and Recreation for becoming our March Member of the Month!
The Ripley County Fair began in 1874, when the Ripley County Agricultural Association, with objectives “to promote and encourage agricultural and mechanical arts, domestic manufacturers, and kindred industries”, purchased twenty acres of land in Osgood. Now, 145 years later that same land is still used to host the Ripley County 4-H fair, the FARM Club antique farm show, a Fourth of July celebration, horse shows, racing and other civic events. The oldest structure still standing on the premises is the historic 112 year old grandstand that was built in 1907.
In 1993, the Ripley County Agricultural Association gave the Ripley County Commissioners the Ripley County Fairgrounds. The Ripley County Park Board was formed as five-member body responsible for the task of upgrading the facility and turning the Fairgrounds into a community park. A fulltime Park Manager and part time employees maintain the Park.
The Board has managed over a million dollars worth of grant monies, donations, and public funds for the improvement of the grounds and its structures. Those funds came from sources such as: the Rising Sun Regional Foundation; the Lily Foundation; the Gilmore and Gold Reynolds Foundation; the Build Indiana Fund; the Ripley County Community Foundation; the Ripley County Council; the Ripley County Commissioners, and many local non-profit organizations and individuals who continue to utilize the park.
Congratulations to them for being our Member of the Month!
