Eddy County Fair is celebrating 80 years this year! So, it seems appropriate to celebrate with a significant groundbreaking.
Outside of fair week, the building will be useful for a variety of activities. Moveable panels can be cleared out to create a large event space for parties, community events, trade shows, and more. Classrooms can accommodate smaller activities, meetings, and educational activities.
The fairgrounds were built many years ago with a lot of sweat equity from previous generations of board members and volunteers. It has served the community well, but, after decades of use, it is time for a new space. It is important to build a building that reflects the quality of our outstanding county, from the youth who show high quality livestock to the supporters who turn out every year to make the Eddy County Junior Livestock Auction the best in the state. Beyond the fair, the Association wants a facility that can accommodate the whole county year round to house a variety of events, both public and private.
Construction is underway and so is fundraising. The Association, with the support of a generous funder who agreed to underwrite the project, made the tough decision to begin construction without all the funds in place. The $26 million project is halfway there. The Association is working to raise $13 million to complete the construction, hoping to identify donors from across the county. Donors not only will be helping build a building, they will also be providing a safe environment for the youth of Eddy County (and their families and friends!) to learn trades, hard work, business skills, and so much more.
It’s not just about livestock. It is about all of Eddy County.
Article written by Hayley Klein and originally published in Focus on Artesia 2025 Summer edition.
Hayley Klein
Hayley Klein is the Executive Director of Artesia Chamber of Commerce, where she has served since 2006. She works on community and economic development projects, advocates for civic engagement, and supports efforts to create a better business climate and quality of life for Artesia. Before her work at the Chamber, she was the manager of Artesia MainStreet.
