Fire Destroys Shelbyville Grandstands

Sandy Lowe · 5/27/12, 11:58 AM

In the early morning hours of May 19th the Shelby County Fairgrounds were changed forever. A fire, later determined to be intentionally set, completely engulfed the grandstands. By the time the sun came up the 133-year old wooden covered grandstand was gone, reduced to a pile of smoldering rubble.

Officials from the Shelby County Fair Association have said they will rebuild the structure in some form, and are already working on the process. Cleanup took most of this week, and next a new concrete foundation will be poured.

David Rush, board president, said the board is already comparing different types of structures they can get before the start of the fair on July 2nd. He said there may not be a permanent structure or a roof in place by the time the fair opens, but they’re hoping to have 1,000 seats ready in the next five weeks (see complete coverage in the Shelbyville News at www.shelbynews.com).

Rush has informed Greg Staab, MTQRL Director of Racing Operations, that the facilities cannot be prepared in time for time to host the Midwest TQ Racing League event scheduled for June 2nd. The Shelbyville race will be moved to September to one of the TBA dates on the MTQRL schedule.

Staab is currently working on an alternate venue to host an MTQRL race on June 2nd. Please check www.mtqrl.com later this week for details.

www.mtqrl.com

5/27/12, 11:58 AM	#1 Fire Destroys Shelbyville Grandstands
Sandy Lowe Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,714	In the early morning hours of May 19th the Shelby County Fairgrounds were changed forever. A fire, later determined to be intentionally set, completely engulfed the grandstands. By the time the sun came up the 133-year old wooden covered grandstand was gone, reduced to a pile of smoldering rubble. Officials from the Shelby County Fair Association have said they will rebuild the structure in some form, and are already working on the process. Cleanup took most of this week, and next a new concrete foundation will be poured. David Rush, board president, said the board is already comparing different types of structures they can get before the start of the fair on July 2nd. He said there may not be a permanent structure or a roof in place by the time the fair opens, but they’re hoping to have 1,000 seats ready in the next five weeks (see complete coverage in the Shelbyville News at www.shelbynews.com). Rush has informed Greg Staab, MTQRL Director of Racing Operations, that the facilities cannot be prepared in time for time to host the Midwest TQ Racing League event scheduled for June 2nd. The Shelbyville race will be moved to September to one of the TBA dates on the MTQRL schedule. Staab is currently working on an alternate venue to host an MTQRL race on June 2nd. Please check www.mtqrl.com later this week for details. www.mtqrl.com