WEST LIBERTY, IA- The Deahr Family of rural West Liberty have donated $20,000 to the Event Center at the Muscatine County Fair. The family’s gift will go towards seating in the great room.

Mike and Sue Deahr have two children, Jared and wife Samira, and Ryan and wife Tana. They also have five grandchildren Madelyn, Makenna, Callie, Blakley, and Wade. The family farms on the outskirts of West Liberty and Muscatine.

The Deahr Family has a long history with the fair. Mike was on the fair board for a term and Sue’s father, Jay Steen, was also on the fair board for several years and also served a term as Fair Board President. Mike and Sue also both grew up in 4-H and Mike also participated in FFA. Mike exhibited in the fair both cattle and hogs growing up. Sue exhibited static projects. Both Mike and Sue know and understand the hard work and dedication that goes into getting projects ready and making projects for the fair. Their grandchildren now exhibit several projects in the open class portion of the fair, and their oldest grandchild has just joined FFA. For their family the fair is the highlight of the year and when they get to see people that sometimes they haven’t seen since fair last year.

The entire family also spends a lot of time in the working in the Church Food Stand for First Church United. Mike and Sue are also fantastic sponsors at the Muscatine County Fair with sponsoring the livestock premiums and goat entry fees. They also attend the Ribbon Auction each year purchasing several ribbons and really try to focus on helping youth that may not normally have a lot of support in the auction. They feel this is important to help keep the kids excited for the fair, as that is important to keep the kids coming back and participating each year. “It’s a generational thing, and if you can get them excited when they are young it will be in their blood for life and they will keep coming back.” Said Sue Deahr.

The Deahr Family sees the new Event Center as a great new option for both the community and county, and thinks it will help bring in more people to the fairgrounds as there is no other place in Muscatine County with a facility this modern. “We see the benefit to the youth and community and are just so glad to be able to be a part of it.” Said Mike Deahr.

The family’s gift will go towards seating in the great room. “I can’t thank the Deahr Family enough for their continued support to the fair. Their dedication over the years has helped so much and I appreciate that they understand the details of the projects.” Said Kelsey Meyers, Muscatine County Fair Manager. The new facility will seat 500 people in the great room along with a much more robust kitchen and much more up to date technology infrastructure throughout the entire building.

Anyone wanting to donate to the project or sponsor an area of the project can contact Kelsey Meyers at the Muscatine County Fair Office at 319-627-2414 or at [email protected].