Construction Underway at Eddy County Fairgrounds

By Misty Cryer

The Eddy County Fairgrounds at 3402 S. 13th Street in Artesia is in the process of being improved to better serve fair participants and the communities of the county. Fundraising for the project is still ongoing, but due to support and donatio

ns, the construction has started.

According to Jon Putman, Fair Board Director, construction at the Eddy County Fairgrounds began in January. “We’re building approximately an 80,000 square-foot livestock barn. That will house all of the fair’s animals under one roof, with the new show ring,” he said. Previously, Putman said, the steers were housed in one facility, with horses in another, with lambs, goats, and hogs in an open-air barn.

“It can be used for other community events as well. We have the ability to take some of the pens out of this facility and rent the facility to other people,” said Putman.

Putman said the indoor facility is intended to serve multiple purposes for the community besides the annual fair. “There’s a lot of different things, whether it’s companies that need it for meetings, or events like car shows or whatever, anybody in the community will have the ability to rent the facilities throughout the year,” he said.

“We also do jackpots,” Putman said, adding that animal shows for steer, horses, sheep, and so forth are done throughout the year.

Putman said Waide Construction out of Roswell is the commercial building contractor for the fairground project. When asked about the completion of the project, he said, “Two years is what they are saying.”

Demolition is part of the project, Putman explained. “They had to tear down the cattle barn, the cattle wash rack, and some existing bathrooms.”

For the next two fairs, Putman said, “We will be using temporary facilities for some of those things. We’re going to have to move some of the steer stuff underneath the covered arena and maybe put up some temporary facilities, like those tent-type circus things.

“Fundraising is a big issue,” said Putman. “The PY Foundation is the one that has led the way to funding this facility,” he said.

About the PY Foundation, Putman said they have committed to making sure the project is finished. “They’ve done a lot for Artesia,” he said, listing the library, the big swimming pool, and the current work on a rec center as examples of the foundation putting money back into the community.

Putman said some other people have stepped up and donated. Specifying that this is not a full list, he mentioned the Wilsons in Carlsbad, Ray Westall, Trey Yates, and John A. Yates Jr. as donors. “We had a few other donations of some size, but we’re still working on that,” he said.

“The county has also stepped up a lot, especially with the new County Manager taking over. He’s increased our operations budget, and they want to participate and fix up their side of the fair,” said Putman, explaining that the county owns the north side, which includes the covered arenas.

“The fair is always the last full week of July,” said Putman. The 2025 Eddy County Fair is expected to be July 21-26, he said, following the same schedule as before with animal shows, the carnival, faith and family night, concerts, bull riding, and a livestock sale, along with other activities.

For individuals and companies that want to donate to the construction fund for the livestock barn and show ring at Eddy County Fairgrounds, Putman said that any member of the Fair Board can help with that. Board Members can be reached by emailing Fairboard@eddycountyfair.com , or interested parties can contact Jon Putman at 575-499-9747.