Celebrating Over 100 Years of Rotary!
In honor of The Rotary Club of Jacksonvilleās 100th birthday in 2018, the Club resolved to give a centennial gift to the local community, culminating in a project for The Morgan County Fairgrounds. The project includes a new LED display and sign, and a new patio and gathering area between the grandstand and fair pavilion.
It is not too late to participate! You can donate to the project below through Paypal, or purchase a personalized brick by contacting the club.
Past club president Lori Hartz led the committee that designed the project. She said, āWe already had a strong partnership with The Morgan County Fairgrounds, which has been the site of The Rotary Club of Jacksonville’s Oktoberfest fundraiser since that eventās inception in 2011. The Fair Board has made all of its facilities and equipment available to support Oktoberfest, which we deeply appreciate.ā
Hartz said the committee and the club considered many projects, and ultimately asked the Fair Board to identify needs that were a good match for the Rotary Centennial Project. Two projects were selected. One was to replace the aging sign located at the northwest corner of the fairgrounds at the intersection of Westgate and West Lafayette Streets. The second was to improve the area between the grandstand and pavilion, an area used by thousands of fairgoers each year, as well as anyone who attends races, parties and community events at the grandstand or pavilion.
Hartz said the project has been underway for the past year. Ground was broken for the new sign in spring 2017. The L-shaped sign, featuring a new Morgan County Fair Logo and two LED panels that can hold customizable messages, is now in place on the fairgrounds corner and can be seen by vehicles traveling the intersection of Westgate and West Lafayette Streets. The sign sits in a round flower bed that is framed with a paver wall. Trees were also planted on the back side of the sign feature. The sign project was completed in the summer of 2017.
Ground was broken on the patio after the fair ended in summer 2017. A new concrete pad was poured which now joins the walkway from the pavilion to the grandstand. Included on the patio is a covered open-air pavilion that can be used as a stage. The patio will be called the Rotary Patio and a sign will be installed to commemorate its connection to The Rotary Club of Jacksonvilleās Centennial Celebration.
Turner Tree and Landscaping was in charge of the design. Tipsord Turf and Landscape won the bid and was hired as general contractor for the project.
Fanning said āWe funded this $100,000-plus project through several years of activities, including Oktoberfests, Valentine Dinner Dances, Bass Tournaments, and Johnsonville Brats Days. In addition, we sold commemorative bricks in various sizes, which have been laid on the patio in a large Rotary emblem design. We appreciate everyone and every organization that purchased bricks and otherwise supported Rotary throughout this project. We especially want to thank the Morgan County Fair Board for its support and partnership. We hope the community will recognize The Rotary Club of Jacksonvilleās ongoing dedication to the community whenever they use the Rotary Patio for parties, receptions, and other events.ā
You may still make a donations towards the Centennial Project by using the following link:
(You will be asked for your address so that we may send you a contribution statement for tax purposes)
Anyone wishing to reserve the Rotary Patio can contact the Morgan County Fair Board at 217-245-6800.
New Sign for the Morgan County Fairgrounds is complete! The photo includes Rotary members, Centennial committee, Fair Board members, and Morgan County Fair Royalty.