On any given day in a small town, it is easy to miss the things that quietly hold a community together. A fairground. A gathering place. A building where generations have shared meals, celebrated milestones, volunteered their time, and caught up with neighbors they have known for decades.
These places rarely make headlines. Until one day, people begin to notice what would happen if they disappeared.
In Fertile, community members saw that moment coming.
The Polk County Fairgrounds had long been part of the community’s story. They were where traditions were passed down, friendships were strengthened, and families gathered year after year. But time had left its mark. Aging facilities were becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. Accessibility challenges limited who could participate. Opportunities for year-round programming were shrinking. The space that had served the community so well was struggling to meet the needs of the future.
The easy response would have been to accept those limitations. Instead, the community chose something harder. They chose to dream.
Not just about repairing a building, but about creating something that could serve everyone. A place where children could play and learn. Where older adults could stay active and connected. Where community groups could gather. Where neighbors could celebrate life’s milestones and support one another during difficult times. A place that would strengthen community life for decades to come.
“What makes this project special to me is seeing so many people come together for something that will benefit our entire community. Being involved with the Booster Club, I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference it makes when a community truly gets behind its youth and gives them opportunities to grow, participate, and feel supported. That same mentality is what has made this event center possible. People here care about each other, and they’re willing to step up when there’s an opportunity to make Fertile and the surrounding area a better place for the next generation.”
— Ryan Strem, President, Fertile-Beltrami Booster Club
Volunteers stepped forward. Community leaders rallied support. Businesses invested. Donors gave generously. Friends talked to neighbors. Families contributed what they could. One act of generosity inspired another, and then another.
Soon, a vision that once existed only in conversations began taking shape.
Together, the community raised enough funds to build a new year-round event center at the Polk County Fairgrounds. Today, construction is nearing completion, bringing that vision closer to reality every day.
But this story is not really about a fundraising goal. It is about what happens when a community decides that its future is worth investing in.
The new facility will create opportunities for people of all ages. Local daycare providers plan to use the space for children’s activities and programming. Older adults are eager to take advantage of an indoor walking track that offers both exercise and social connection throughout Minnesota’s long winters. Community organizations will have a welcoming place to gather. And the Polk County Food Shelf will have a permanent home, strengthening its ability to serve individuals and families across the region.
For many of those who championed the project, the work was deeply personal.
They grew up attending events at the fairgrounds. They watched children show animals at the fair. They volunteered at community gatherings. They understood that the fairgrounds were more than a location on a map, they were part of the community’s identity.
That is why this project inspired such passion. People were not simply building a new facility. They were preserving a sense of belonging. They were creating a place where future generations would make memories of their own.
Northwest Minnesota Foundation was proud to help support that vision.
“One of the greatest privileges of my work with Northwest Minnesota Foundation is seeing rural communities rally around projects that will help their communities thrive. The Friends of the Fair Event Center truly reflects what can happen when people come together with a shared vision. Seeing volunteers, donors, businesses, and community leaders work side-by-side to create something that will benefit families and community for generations is inspiring. This is what Northwest Minnesota Foundation is all about – bringing people together, strengthening communities, and helping turn local dreams into lasting impact. We are honored to be a partner in this project and excited to see the difference it will make for generations to come.”
– Terri Darco, Community Senior Philanthropy Officer, NMF.
The Polk County Fair Board had maintained a fund – the Friends of the Fair Fund, with Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) for years. As conversations about the new community center gained momentum, local leaders explored how the Friends of the Fair Fund could help support the larger project. Through this partnership, organizers were able to leverage NMF’s charitable structure while pursuing their own nonprofit status, helping build credibility, fundraising momentum, and community confidence along the way.
The partnership reflects something NMF sees throughout northwest Minnesota: when communities are empowered to lead, meaningful change follows.
What may surprise people most is not the size of the project, but the size of the commitment behind it.
In a rural community, residents, organizations, businesses, and donors came together to fully achieve a $1.3 million campaign goal, and continue raising funds to make the project even better.
That kind of commitment cannot be purchased. It is built through trust. Through shared purpose. Through generations of people who care deeply about where they live and who understand that strong communities do not happen by accident.
They are built together.
Soon, the doors of the new center will open. Neighbors will gather for events. Friends will reconnect. Volunteers will continue showing up. Families facing challenges will receive support. New memories will be made.
And while the building itself will stand as a visible symbol of progress, its true foundation is something much deeper – A community that refused to settle for what was. A community that came together to create what could be.
Help Complete the Vision
While the primary fundraising goal has been achieved, supporters continue working to bring the full vision of the project to life through accessibility enhancements, expanded functionality, and additional features that will serve future generations.
Donations to the Friends of the Fair Fund are still being accepted and greatly appreciated. To learn more or support the project, visit: https://nwmf.org/fund/friends-of-the-fair-fund/
We are excited to share that the Friends of the Fair Fund will be given special recognition as part of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s Family of Funds at NMF’s upcoming 40th anniversary event on September 30th!
