On Thursday, Sept. 4 at 1:30 PM Mary McCurry, Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Board Chair welcomed a crowd of approximately 200 people on the Kansas State Fairgrounds as they gathered the day prior to the opening of the 2024 Kansas State Fair to celebrate the dedication and ribbon cutting of the 1861 Club. After welcoming the crowd of supporters and dignitaries to the dedication, Chair McCurry turned the program over to the 1861 Building Committee Co-Chair and Foundation Board member, Brad Rayl.

Rayl shared the story of the project’s idea and its development, growing from a simple renovation of an old building to the construction of a signature style building which will stand on the Kansas State Fairgrounds for generations. Rayl thanked the key stakeholders and foundation board members who provide support, insight, expertise, knowledge and advise throughout the building process. Thanking all those involved for helping to create the 1861 Club and for investing in the future of the Kansas State Fairgrounds and for their support of the Foundation in this project.

Following Rayl’s remarks Debra Teufel, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO greeted those in attendance and thanked the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation and the Kansas State Fair for their continued work to improve and add to the economic impact made by the Kansas State Fair to the community and to the State of Kansas.