Fair Breaks Ground On New Food Court

The Fayette County Fair Association held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new food court at the Fairgrounds in La Grange on Monday, Nov. 4.

Fair Association President Michael Zuhn said at the ceremony that the Fair has wanted to replace the German-Czech Mart for many years.

“This new food court will be more than just a place to eat,” Zuhn said. “It’s a space where families and friends will come together, share stories, and make memories over great food and drink. This represents the growth of our Fairgrounds and the commitment we have to continually improve and serve our community in new and exciting ways.

Zuhn thanked the City of La Grange and the Fayette County Commissioners Court for supporting the project. Fayette County awarded the Fair Association $375,000 in American Rescue Plan grant money to help pay for construction costs. The City of La Grange, which owns the Fairgrounds, has assisted the Fair Association with planning, code compliance and infrastructure.

“Our supporters, donors and other community members whose dedication, donations and hard work have made this day possible,” Zuhn said.

County Judge Dan Mueller also spoke at the groundbreaking.

“When the Fair rolls around, everyone who’s local ends up at the food court,” said Mueller. “The Fair is special, but the German-Czech Mart has always been especially so.”

Pastor Scott Elliott of La Grange Church of Christ gave a blessing at the ceremony.

After the blessing, just about everyone on-hand grabbed a shovel and turned over the first scoops of dirt at the construction site.

On hand for the Fayette County Fair Food Court groundbreaking were Fair Association officers, directors, and members of the building and food court committee, along with City of La Grange and Fayette County officials. Pictured (from left) are Brady Bippert, Ann Lowes Mueller, Kayla Ahlschlager, Dennis Neuman, Fair Association Treasurer Tish Muniz, Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom, Fair Association Vice President Brandi Chovanec, La Grange Councilwoman Patsy Zbranek, Glenna Laffey, La Grange Councilman Ken Taylor, Lori Zuhn, Fair Association Secretary Barbara Kalina, La Grange City Manager Jack Thompson, Fair Association President Michael Zuhn, La Grange Mayor Jan Dockery, County Judge Dan Mueller, Pastor Scott Elliott of La Grange Church of Christ, Glenn Roscher, Eugene Urbanovsky, La Grange City Secretary Janet Bayer, and Rose Urbanovsky. Not pictured were Fair Association members Virginia Ohnheiser, Lee Fritsch, Dennis Belota, Scott Willey, and Daniel Cernoch.