Chouteau County Fairgrounds Timeline
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Formation of the Chouteau County Fair Commission
The Chouteau County Fair Commission was established with a $500 appropriation to the Milk River Fair & Racing Association.
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Early Fairs in Chinook
The Chouteau County Fair was held in Chinook during this period.
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County Division: Blaine and Hill Counties Established
Chouteau County residents voted to establish Blaine and Hill County governments, designating Chinook and Havre as their respective county seats.
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Creation of the Chouteau County Fair Association
The Chouteau County Fair Association was officially formed.
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First Chouteau County Fair in Fort Benton
The first fair was held at the Chouteau County High School Armory and Baker Opera House (current site of the Post Office).
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Acquisition of the Fairgrounds Property
The Chouteau County Fairgrounds property was purchased for $1,500.
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Inaugural Fair at the Fairgrounds
The fair and horse races were hosted at the fairgrounds for the first time.
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Record Attendance and Aerial Spectacle
The fair attracted over 5,000 attendees, including Montana Governor Sam Stewart. An airship made a special flight over the event.
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Fair Activities Canceled Due to Drought
A severe drought led to the cancellation of most fair activities.
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Chouteau County Fair Commission
The Chouteau County Commissioners vote to reestablish the Fair Commission with board members: Ed. C. Fuller (G), Jacob Ritter (FB), Vernon E. Lewis (FB), Tracy Andrews (FB), and Nate H. Bovee (BS) and allocate $2,000 to support the County Fair and community fairs throughout the county.
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Big Sandy FFA Chapter Founded
The Big Sandy FFA chapter was established.
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Statewide FFA Charter Established
The Montana Association of Future Farmers of America (FFA) was officially chartered.
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Grandstand Construction Completed
The current grandstands were completed just two weeks before the fair.
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Grandstand Exhibit Hall Gets Cement Floor
The cement floor in the Grandstand Exhibit Hall was finished.
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Construction of the Education Building
The Education Building was constructed.
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Addition of Horse Barns
Three horse barns were built on the west side of the fairgrounds.
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Fort Benton FFA Chapter Established
The Fort Benton FFA chapter was established.
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Fairgrounds Host Military Training
Approximately 1,000 soldiers from the 331st Air Supply Group, led by Colonel Bodie, were stationed at the fairgrounds.
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Racing Revival at the Fairgrounds
The fairgrounds hosted 200 horses for racing.
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Geraldine FFA Chapter Established
The Geraldine FFA chapter was established.
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New Buildings for Floriculture and 4-H Beef Barn
Construction of the Floriculture Building and the original 4-H Beef Barn was approved.
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Chouteau County Turf Club: Fairgrounds’ Lifeblood
The Turf Club became the driving force behind the fairgrounds' success.
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75th Anniversary Celebration
The Chouteau County Fair celebrated its 75th anniversary.
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Fairgrounds Manager Passes
Eugene “Gene” L. Chapel served as the Fairgrounds Manager from 1990 until his passing from a heart attack, marking the end of an era. His legacy endures through the dedication of our main arena, now named the Gene Chapel Arena
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Debate Over Campground and Interpretive Center
Plans to build a campground and the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center sparked controversy. The campground was approved, and a new location was sought for the Interpretive Center.
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Canoe Launch Campground Developed
The Chouteau County Canoe Launch Campground was developed on the western portion of the Horse Racing Track.
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Formation of the Fair Improvement Foundation
The Chouteau County Fair Improvement Foundation was established to improve the fairgrounds.
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Rodeo/Sheriff’s Office Replaced with Modern Facilities
The old building was demolished, and a new shower/office building was constructed.
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Completion of a New 4-H Beef Barn
A new 4-H Beef Barn was completed.
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Geraldine FFA Chapter Rechartered
The Geraldine FFA chapter was officially rechartered.
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Celebration of the Fairgrounds’ Centennial
The 100th anniversary of the Chouteau County Fairgrounds was celebrated.
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Fort Benton FFA Chapter Rechartered
The Fort Benton FFA chapter was officially rechartered.
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Modernization of Grandstand Bleachers
Old wooden bleachers were replaced with safer aluminum and steel bleachers.