WEST LIBERTY, IA- The Lyle and Betty Zimmerman Family have donated $5,000 to the new Event Center at the Muscatine County Fair for landscaping.

Lyle and Betty have lived in West Liberty the majority of their lives and raised their family here. Lyle and Betty have four children, Brenda Strief (John Strief), Gail Zimmerman (Bob Rosencranz), Gary Zimmerman (Kris Zimmerman), and Karen Hart (John Hart). They also have seven grandchildren.

Lyle’s first fair was in 1938 and he bought his first radio at one of the booths under the grandstand. Lyle was in 4-H and enjoyed showing cattle growing up in Johnson County. Lyle also helped many years with the Lion’s Club Tractor Pull with the kids. He has also spent a lot of time moving benches and bleachers for events and Picnic in the Park after the fair parade. In 1967 Lyle started helping set up Heritage Hall and working with the exhibits during the fair. Betty, being from West Liberty, grew up attending the fair each year for as long as she can remember. Betty also exhibits art in the MidWest One Art building and roses in the Floral Hall each year. Betty has even been a judge in the Ryan Building over the years. Brenda, Gail, and Karen were all in 4-H growing up exhibiting many static projects. The girls did many sewing, cooking, and refinishing projects over the years and even had several go on to the state fair. Lyle, Betty, and the family have also worked in the concession stand under the grandstand several different times for events over the years.

“We love the fair and feel the new event center will help bring more people to the fair from all over the county and surrounding counties.” Said Lyle, “We also see the fair board putting in countless hours and want to help them.”

“We really think this new event center will bring in more family events, which we feel will be good for our town and community.” Said Betty.

The new event center will be able to seat 500 people and will have a beautiful patio off to the southwest side of the building. The Zimmerman Family’s donation will be going to landscaping outside the event center. Landscaping is important to help connect the event center with the rest of the historic features at the fair.

“I would love to thank the Zimmerman Family for their donation. It is so humbling to meet with families that love the fair and understand the importance of the details of a project.” Said Kelsey Meyers, Muscatine County Fair Manager.

To make a donation to the project or to sponsor an area of the project, contact Kelsey Meyers at the Muscatine County Fair office at 319-627-2414 or at [email protected].