Logan County Fairgrounds and Mitchek Event Center: Rentals, Rules, and What to Know

The Logan County Fairgrounds at 102 N. Riverview Road in Sterling functions as the county's central hub for agricultural events, community gatherings, and private rentals year-round. The complex hosts the annual Logan County Fair & Rodeo, livestock sales, rodeos, and a wide range of regional events, making it one of the most versatile public facilities on the Eastern Plains. A major addition completed in the summer of 2024, the Mitchek Event Center, has expanded what groups and organizations can book at the site.

Who Runs the Fairgrounds

The Logan County Agricultural Society, a not-for-profit membership organization, is charged with organizing and managing the annual Logan County Fair and utilizing the fairgrounds for off-season events and revenue-generating purposes. That dual mission, running the fair while keeping the grounds active through the rest of the year, shapes how the facilities are scheduled and what kinds of rentals are available to outside groups.

The Annual Fair

The Logan County Fair is traditionally held the second full week of July, running Sunday through Saturday, with grandstand entertainment taking place each night. The fair draws paid attendance through the gate of over 15,000 each year, anchoring the fairgrounds calendar and setting the window during which private rentals are not available.

The Mitchek Event Center

Completed in the summer of 2024, the Mitchek Event Center is the newest venue on the grounds and is built for a wide range of events: wedding receptions, trade shows, class reunions, and more. The official facility description invites groups to "call us today to inquire about reserving the Mitchek Event Center for your next event." Specific seating capacity, rental rates, and available packages for the Mitchek Event Center were not published in available materials, so prospective renters should contact the fairgrounds directly for current details.

Facility-by-Facility Overview

The fairgrounds includes six distinct buildings and arenas, each with its own specifications and intended uses.

Main Arena and Grandstand

The Main Arena and Grandstand is the largest venue on the property, with seating for 4,460 and a 70-foot by 250-foot exhibit area under the grandstand. The arena features rodeo and roping chutes, pens for livestock, and lighting for nighttime activities, making it suitable for rodeos, concerts, and large-scale exhibits.

Exhibit Center Indoor Arena

The Exhibit Center is a 140-foot by 280-foot indoor arena with a ceiling height of 19 feet to the large fans and 25 feet to the roof. It seats 600, includes roping chutes, and offers meeting rooms as well as a kitchen area for concessions, though that kitchen space carries an extra fee. The dimensions and clearance make it practical for trade shows, equipment demonstrations, and large indoor gatherings.

Gary DeSoto Youth Building

The Gary DeSoto Youth Building provides meeting rooms with kitchen facilities, but it operates under a priority system: youth activities are scheduled first, and other groups are accommodated as the calendar allows. Scheduling for this building requires a separate call to 970-522-3200, and a separate fee schedule applies. Groups hoping to book this space should plan ahead and confirm availability directly through that number.

Livestock Pavilion

The Livestock Pavilion is purpose-built for agricultural events, featuring a center sale arena with seating, a livestock wash area, a livestock scale, and stalls for cattle, sheep, and hogs. It supports the livestock sales and 4-H and FFA contests that run through the fair season and can be booked for similar agricultural events outside the fair.

North Arena

The North Arena is equipped with roping and bucking chutes and has both electricity and water access on-site, making it functional for a range of equestrian and livestock events that require utility hookups.

Open Riding

Open riding is listed among the available activities at the fairgrounds, though specific scheduling details, fees, and reservation requirements should be confirmed with the facility directly.

What You Can Rent and When

"All fairgrounds buildings are available for use by the public for a variety of agricultural and non-agricultural related activities, including horse shows, farm equipment demonstrations, 4-H and FFA contests, home and trade shows, craft fairs, flea markets, wedding receptions, dances, family reunions, and much more." That range reflects the deliberate design of the complex as a multi-use community facility, not purely an agricultural site.

Rental inquiries for most buildings should start with a call to the fairgrounds for fees and available dates. The tourist information line at 970-522-8962 can also direct callers to the appropriate contact. Because the Gary DeSoto Youth Building operates under its own fee schedule and booking number, groups interested in that specific space should call 970-522-3200 rather than the general line.

No published fee schedule with dollar amounts is currently available for most facilities. Rates for the Mitchek Event Center, the Exhibit Center, the Main Arena, the Livestock Pavilion, and the North Arena are provided on request. The concessions kitchen in the Exhibit Center carries an extra fee beyond the base arena rental. Anyone planning an event that involves food service should factor that into early budget conversations with the fairgrounds.

Horse Stalls

Beyond event rentals, horse stalls at the fairgrounds are available to rent at reasonable monthly rates. Groups or individuals needing regular stall access should contact the Logan County Agricultural Society or fairgrounds management for current availability and pricing.

Winter Storage

From November through March, the fairgrounds offers covered storage for vehicles and recreational equipment. As described: "Protect your RV, sports car, motorcycle, or boat. Anything you need to keep safe and secure over the harsh winter months; November through March, can be kept at the Logan County fairgrounds." Rates, insurance requirements, and access details are not published and should be requested directly from the fairgrounds before the November storage window opens.

Practical Details for Renters

A few items are worth confirming before signing any rental agreement. No published information currently covers deposit requirements, cleaning fees, alcohol policies, parking capacity, or ADA access specifics. Groups hosting public events will likely need to ask about insurance requirements, particularly whether Logan County needs to be named as an additional insured. Anyone booking the Mitchek Event Center should verify whether audio/visual equipment or table and chair packages are included or available at additional cost.

The fairgrounds sits at 102 N. Riverview Road, Sterling, CO 80751. For general inquiries, the Sterling Tourist Information Center can be reached at 970-522-8962. For Gary DeSoto Youth Building scheduling specifically, call 970-522-3200. With the Mitchek Event Center now fully operational after its 2024 completion, the fairgrounds offers more event options than it has at any point in its recent history.