Logan County Fairgrounds expands public use, new Mitchek Event Center
On Oct 1, 2025 the Logan County Fairgrounds began its seasonal open riding program and continued to promote expanded public access across its facilities, reinforcing the site as a year round community hub. The fairgrounds offer multiple venues, new event capacity from the Mitchek Event Center, and practical resources for organizers, which matters for residents looking for local event space and economic activity.
The Logan County Fairgrounds at 1120 Pawnee Avenue in Sterling serves as a multi venue public facility operated by Logan County, and on Oct 1, 2025 the site opened its Exhibit Center for the seasonal open riding period that runs through Apr 30. The Exhibit Center measures 140 feet by 280 feet, seats 600, and includes a concession kitchen and meeting rooms. Scheduled public hours for open riding provide recreational access during colder months and help sustain year round use of the grounds.
The fairgrounds complex includes a Livestock Pavilion with a center sale arena, wash area, stalls and a livestock scale. The Main Arena and Grandstand support rodeo and roping events with chutes, lighting, and seating for 4,460, along with a 70 foot by 250 foot exhibit area beneath the grandstand. A North Arena offers roping and bucking chutes. The Gary DeSoto Youth Building provides meeting rooms with a kitchen and prioritizes youth scheduling for 4H and FFA activities. Limited overnight RV camping and hookups are available for event participants, and the site maintains an RV area and horse boarding options for traveling competitors.
Completed in summer 2024, the Mitchek Event Center adds a versatile non agricultural venue intended for wedding receptions, trade shows, reunions and other community events. All fairgrounds buildings are available for public use for activities ranging from horse shows and farm equipment demonstrations to home and trade shows, craft fairs, flea markets, dances and reunions. The county provides practical tools for event organizers, including a fairgrounds layout PDF, a reservation form, mass gathering complexity and tenant user liability insurance forms, and a fee schedule. Groups are encouraged to call for available dates and fee information.
Local economic and community implications are straightforward. Year round programming and expanded non agricultural capacity can increase bookings, visitor traffic and local spending for lodging and restaurants, while supporting youth agricultural programs and volunteer organizations. For reservations and questions contact the Buildings and Grounds Office at 970 522 0554 and ask for Shawna Charles.
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