Building the Next 100 Years at the Rosholt Fair
Our May 11, 2026 Voices of Impact session brought community members together for a meaningful conversation about legacy, connection, and the future of one of Portage County’s most treasured traditions: the Rosholt Fair.
As part of our monthly Voices of Impact Lunch and Learn Series, attendees joined us to hear from representatives of the Rosholt Fair Grounds Building Project Fund, a fiscal sponsorship fund through the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin supporting the capital campaign for a new Community Event Center and Venue on the Fair Hill.
Featuring Jim Radford, Les Dobbe, Ryan Wanta, and Deb Omernik, the conversation explored what it takes to turn a shared community vision into something lasting, not simply a building, but a place designed for memories, relationships, learning, and community gathering for generations to come.
More Than a Building
The Rosholt Fair has been a cornerstone of community life since 1926. As the Fair approaches its 100th anniversary, leaders and supporters are working together on a $1.7 million capital campaign to create a permanent space dedicated to agricultural education, youth development, public engagement, and year-round community use.
Throughout the session, one message remained clear: this project is about much more than construction.
Jim Radford, capital campaign consultant and advisor, spoke about the deeper impact philanthropy can have on a community. As he shared during the discussion, gifts to the project are more than donations, they leave a footprint in the community for generations to come. The campaign reflects what can happen when people rally around a shared belief in the future.
The conversation also touched on the true meaning of philanthropy: a love of humankind. That spirit has become a driving force behind the campaign and the collective effort to build something meaningful for future generations.
Designing a Space Rooted in Community
Architectural Designer, Ryan Wanta, brought a deeply personal perspective to the project. Having grown up attending the Rosholt Fair, Ryan shared how his lifelong connection to the grounds shaped his vision for the new building.
“It’s not just a place,” Ryan reflected during the session. “The fair is a rhythm of growing up there.”
For Ryan, memories of volunteering with family, gathering with neighbors, and experiencing community traditions firsthand became foundational to the design process. The goal was not only to create a functional event space, but to preserve the feeling and character that generations have associated with the Fair Hill.
The new building has been thoughtfully designed to support a wide variety of uses, including concerts, weddings, fundraisers, 4-H exhibitions, educational programming, and community events. At the same time, the design remains connected to the aesthetic and history of the existing fairgrounds, blending tradition with a vision for the future.
As Ryan shared, the building represents “a promise of community”, a place where future generations can gather, celebrate, learn, and create memories of their own.
The renderings, designed by Ryan Wanta, offer a glimpse into the future of the Fair Hill while honoring the character and traditions that have defined the Rosholt Fair for generations. Ryan’s unique perspective, as both designer and lifelong fair attendee, helped shape a vision that feels deeply connected to the community it will serve.
A Community-Led Effort
Deb Omernik, donor and campaign leader, spoke about the incredible momentum behind the project and the work happening every day to move the campaign forward.
As a member of the Rosholt Hill Century Association’s board, Deb has helped lead outreach efforts, connect with donors, and share the vision behind the campaign across the community. She and her husband Mike have also personally invested in the project as donors themselves.
During the conversation, Deb reflected on the experience of showing the building renderings to community members and watching their reactions. For many, the images make the vision feel real, helping people see not only the building itself, but the possibilities it represents for the future of the Fair and the community as a whole.
The campaign continues to welcome support through donations, pledges, and naming opportunities as fundraising efforts work toward completion in time for the Fair’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2026.
Looking Ahead
As the session came to a close, one theme stood above the rest: communities are built through people, relationships, and shared investment in the future.
The Rosholt Fair Grounds Building Project Fund represents more than a capital campaign. It represents a community choosing to invest in gathering spaces, youth opportunities, agricultural education, and traditions that bring people together.
We are grateful to Jim, Les, Ryan, and Deb for sharing their stories, insight, and vision during this Voices of Impact session. Their leadership and dedication serve as a reminder that when communities come together with generosity and purpose, the impact can last far beyond a single generation.
If you missed the session, we invite you to watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel and join us for a future Voices of Impact event as we continue highlighting the people, organizations, and initiatives strengthening Central Wisconsin.
Feeling inspired by the Rosholt Fair Grounds Building Project Fund? Contributions are tax-deductible through the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin. Give today here.
To support make a pledge or explore naming opportunities, visit the Friends of Rosholt Fair website, email hello@friendsofrosholtfair.com
Join us Next Month
Voices of Impact’s monthly event has a hybrid format, setting the tone for thoughtful, collaborative conversations focused on leadership, data, and collective action to strengthen our region. Want to learn more about our Voices of Impact Series? We hope you’re able to come and sign-up for our June session as we host Lawrence Leviton with the Copernicus Foundation Music Grant Program.