This report is meant to be an idea piece. It is designed to help visualize and define some of the participants’ ideas, and to focus and facilitate on-going discussions for the future of the Lake County 4-H Fair and Fairgrounds. The ideas presented here are just that – ideas. The concepts, design and programmatic options presented are intended to serve as a stimulus for discussion and involvement. It is intended that this document be used as a vision statement, providing guidance, inspiration, and challenge for the future direction of the fair and fairgrounds as an important part of the quality of life of Lake County by displaying images of what might be, as well as some ideas on how to achieve them. Before any of these visions become reality, they must be examined in greater depth and evaluated as part of the overall strategic plan for the fair and fairgrounds.

This project, while attempting to address the Fair as part of the entire community, focused on several areas of perceived need. The ideas presented here address location, circulation, image and character, activities, year-round usage and other enhancement projects. Some of the ideas and recommendations outline steps appropriate for continuing community-based planning and design, others offer some specific policies, programs and projects that can be implemented directly. Treat this document as a cookbook of ideas. Implement the projects that are exciting and doable first - build and maintain a positive momentum for the fair and fairgrounds and stimulate on-going public interest and involvement. The outlined information and graphics presented are hoped to serve to remind the reader, and the community, that an involved group of involved people has been the greatest strength of the Lake County 4-H Fair, and it is they, and the future leaders of 4-H and the community, including those that attend the fair, who created this plan/strategy and, therefore, are the most critical resource in guiding the future of the fairgrounds and the Fair. It is in the continuing involvement of the people, businesses and organizations associated with the fair and fairgrounds that these ideas will become actions and actions will become reality.