Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Newton County Fair
1. Is the fair fully funded by the State of Arkansas? Why is the exhibit buildings and livestock exhibits so important?
The fair is not fully funded by the State of Arkansas. Every year each fair in the state receives a "Premium Check" based on the previous year's Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission audit. This audit incorporates the number of exhibitors, number of exhibits, new categories for that year, number of persons attending the fair, number of exhibits that are entered at the district level and at the state level, and numerous other factors. When you enter an exhibit in the fair, you receive a check either at time of check-out from the exhibit buildings or by mail from the Livestock Show, that is "Premium Check" funds. The funds from the "Premium Check" are 100% paid to the exhibitors. This money must be used 100% or greater or it has to be paid back to the State of Arkansas. Often times, the Newton County Fair will add additional funds to "Premium Check" funds for that year. The more exhibits and exhibitors the fair has the bigger the check will be for the next year. The bigger the check, the greater the dollar value per point will be when premiums are paid. Again, the premiums are paid 100% to the individual exhibitor or group that has entered the item(s) in the fair.
2. Where do the "Premium Check" funds from the State of Arkansas come from?
In the State of Arkansas, if your fairgrounds has a fence surrounding the property, your fair MUST charge an admission fee per the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. This admission fee is then taxed and the taxes are paid by the fair to the State of Arkansas to fund the "Premium Checks" for all the fairs in the state.
3. The Newton County Fair Grounds is not fenced, why do you charge $1 to park?
We do charge $1 to park; however, 75% of that $1 is donated to the organization doing the parking.
4. Does the fair receive any other funds from the State of Arkansas?
Yes. Every two years, each county and district fair in the state receives "Construction Funds." This money is also audited by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. This money must be used within the two years or it has to be paid back to the State of Arkansas. This money has been used to roof and/or re-metal the exhibit buildings, update the bucking shoots at the rodeo arena, purchase equipment, build shelving and display units in the exhibit building, build additional wash bays at the livestock barn, and general repairs and maintenance to the fair grounds.
5. Do the members of the Newton County Fair Board receive any type of pay or reimbursement for their time?
No. Any and all funds generated by the Newton County Fair and Rodeo are used for general upkeep and to fund the next year's fair. Every member is a volunteer. Their time is freely given to the fair each year.
6. When do you start planning the fair?
We begin planning the fair before the current fair is over. Meaning in June/July/August of 2017 we are already making plans and booking vendors and contractors for the 2018 fair. Several, if not all, members actively work on the fair 12 months out of the year. General maintenance and improvements are limited to the warm weather months.
7. How do you become a member of the Newton County Fair Board?
By filling out application found here. Our bylaws state that the fair board be comprised of no more than 15 members and that any person wishing to become a member, must first volunteer during that years fair before membership is granted. We always welcome volunteers. We always need volunteers. If you are not interested in being a member of the fair board, but would like to help out let a board member know of your interest.
8. Is the Newton County Fair a non-profit corporation?
Yes. The Newton County Fair and Rodeo, Inc. is registered with the State of Arkansas as a non-profit corporation. We are also a registered Public Charity under section 509(a)(2) under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the Internal Revenue Service.
9. What is the "jackpot" at the livestock show?
All market animals that do not make the premium sale are eligible to receive jackpot money. The fair board accepts donations specifically for the jackpot. Anyone and everyone can donate to the jackpot. The money is divided evenly among the animals (not the exhibitors) that do not make the sale.
10. I have ideas and/or questions or comments. What do I need to do?
The fair board meets in regular session the second Tuesday of every month except December. We welcome your input and encourage you to attend a regular meeting. Let the secretary know before the meeting that you would like to address the board and the floor will be opened to you at the beginning of the meeting. OR you may email the board at newtoncountyfair@gmail.com.
The fair is not fully funded by the State of Arkansas. Every year each fair in the state receives a "Premium Check" based on the previous year's Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission audit. This audit incorporates the number of exhibitors, number of exhibits, new categories for that year, number of persons attending the fair, number of exhibits that are entered at the district level and at the state level, and numerous other factors. When you enter an exhibit in the fair, you receive a check either at time of check-out from the exhibit buildings or by mail from the Livestock Show, that is "Premium Check" funds. The funds from the "Premium Check" are 100% paid to the exhibitors. This money must be used 100% or greater or it has to be paid back to the State of Arkansas. Often times, the Newton County Fair will add additional funds to "Premium Check" funds for that year. The more exhibits and exhibitors the fair has the bigger the check will be for the next year. The bigger the check, the greater the dollar value per point will be when premiums are paid. Again, the premiums are paid 100% to the individual exhibitor or group that has entered the item(s) in the fair.
2. Where do the "Premium Check" funds from the State of Arkansas come from?
In the State of Arkansas, if your fairgrounds has a fence surrounding the property, your fair MUST charge an admission fee per the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. This admission fee is then taxed and the taxes are paid by the fair to the State of Arkansas to fund the "Premium Checks" for all the fairs in the state.
3. The Newton County Fair Grounds is not fenced, why do you charge $1 to park?
We do charge $1 to park; however, 75% of that $1 is donated to the organization doing the parking.
4. Does the fair receive any other funds from the State of Arkansas?
Yes. Every two years, each county and district fair in the state receives "Construction Funds." This money is also audited by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. This money must be used within the two years or it has to be paid back to the State of Arkansas. This money has been used to roof and/or re-metal the exhibit buildings, update the bucking shoots at the rodeo arena, purchase equipment, build shelving and display units in the exhibit building, build additional wash bays at the livestock barn, and general repairs and maintenance to the fair grounds.
5. Do the members of the Newton County Fair Board receive any type of pay or reimbursement for their time?
No. Any and all funds generated by the Newton County Fair and Rodeo are used for general upkeep and to fund the next year's fair. Every member is a volunteer. Their time is freely given to the fair each year.
6. When do you start planning the fair?
We begin planning the fair before the current fair is over. Meaning in June/July/August of 2017 we are already making plans and booking vendors and contractors for the 2018 fair. Several, if not all, members actively work on the fair 12 months out of the year. General maintenance and improvements are limited to the warm weather months.
7. How do you become a member of the Newton County Fair Board?
By filling out application found here. Our bylaws state that the fair board be comprised of no more than 15 members and that any person wishing to become a member, must first volunteer during that years fair before membership is granted. We always welcome volunteers. We always need volunteers. If you are not interested in being a member of the fair board, but would like to help out let a board member know of your interest.
8. Is the Newton County Fair a non-profit corporation?
Yes. The Newton County Fair and Rodeo, Inc. is registered with the State of Arkansas as a non-profit corporation. We are also a registered Public Charity under section 509(a)(2) under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the Internal Revenue Service.
9. What is the "jackpot" at the livestock show?
All market animals that do not make the premium sale are eligible to receive jackpot money. The fair board accepts donations specifically for the jackpot. Anyone and everyone can donate to the jackpot. The money is divided evenly among the animals (not the exhibitors) that do not make the sale.
10. I have ideas and/or questions or comments. What do I need to do?
The fair board meets in regular session the second Tuesday of every month except December. We welcome your input and encourage you to attend a regular meeting. Let the secretary know before the meeting that you would like to address the board and the floor will be opened to you at the beginning of the meeting. OR you may email the board at newtoncountyfair@gmail.com.