Kansas State Fair Receives Corporate Donation for New Ground Cover at Bison Arena Construction Site

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair received a timely corporate donation to address muddy conditions around its new Bison Arena construction site ahead of the 2025 fair, which runs Sept. 5-14.

ECBVerdyol provided ground cover materials to improve the area surrounding the arena, where ongoing construction and recent rainfall had created challenging conditions for fairgoers, according to a Kansas State Fair social media post.

"With construction underway at the Bison Arena—and plenty of rain adding extra mud—we needed a quick solution to clean up the area around the structure," fair officials said. "Thanks to a generous donation from ECBVerdyol, we now have a durable, great-looking ground cover in place just in time for the Kansas State Fair."

The Bison Arena represents Phase One of the Ag Innovation Center project at the fairgrounds, located at 2000 N. Poplar St. The exterior construction is nearly complete, with Phase Two scheduled to begin after this year's fair concludes.

When finished, Phase Two will add approximately 13,000 square feet of usable space for the 2026 Kansas State Fair. Fair officials continue fundraising efforts to complete the building project.

"We are still in the process of fundraising for the completion of the building," the fair announced. Those interested in contributing to the renovations can contact Bryan Schulz, general manager of the Kansas State Fair.

The Kansas State Fair, which has operated since 1913, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to Hutchinson. The fairgrounds serve as a year-round venue for agricultural events, concerts and community gatherings.

Fair organizers said the new arena will enhance the facility's ability to host livestock shows and other agricultural programming that forms the cornerstone of the annual event.

For more information about the Kansas State Fair, visit kansasstatefair.com or call (620) 669-3600.