Four Avenues of Service - Community Service

Community Service is the backbone of Lawrenceburg Rotary.  Our main emphasis is on the Middle Tennessee District Fair and the development of Rotary Park.  Because the fair provides funding for Rotary Park, and because Rotary Park provides infrastructure that supports the fair; these two projects are in many respects one and the same.

Middle Tennessee District Fair

The Middle Tennessee District fair  is an agricultural and  commercial fair that runs  annually in September at Rotary Park.  Over 90,000 guests pass through the gates each year, and the fair has become the premier fall event in our community. Click here to view our Fair Catalog.

Although many consider the fair to be a fund raising activity, this week long event constitutes one of the major community service projects in Lawrence County.  The club invests approximately $200,000 each year to produce the fair.

Community Service aspects of the Middle Tennessee District Fair include:

 

Bringing people from town and country; young, old and in between; from various educational and economic backgrounds together at an entertaining event that promotes friendship,  understanding, and good will.

 

 

 

 

Showcasing agriculture through livestock   exhibitions, horticultural displays, 4H    contests, food preservation, flower shows and numerous educational demonstrations.  For many of our visitors, the fair is their only exposure to the importance of agriculture in our daily lives. 

 

 

 

Providing a venue for public service, religious, and charitable organizations to promote their programs and services.  The fair is a major outreach activity for many of these groups.

 

 

 

 

Providing a venue for local businesses to display their products and services to visitors from all segments of our community. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bringing top name entertainment and  attractions to our community at an affordable price.  Artists including Billy Currington, Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels, and the Oak Ridge Boys have performed at the Middle Tennessee District Fair.

 

 

 

 

Providing a fundraising opportunity for community organizations throughout Lawrence and surrounding counties.  Organizations like Kiwanis, Lions, Eastern Star (Masons), Volunteer Fire, Rescue Squad, Community Clubs, VFW, and School Groups

implement their main fund raising activities at the Middle Tennesse District Fair.

Lawrenceburg Rotary assumed management and ownership of the Lawrence County Fair in 1950.  At that time, the fair was struggling to survive and desperately needed an infusion of energy, ideas and capital.  Our club had been in existence for only three years and was looking for a long term project that would serve the community--so a group of ten Rotarians arranged financial backing to purchase the fairgrounds and ownership of the fair.  Good management and the club's consistent support allowed the fair to become self supporting and the initial debt was soon retired.  The name was changed to the Middle Tennessee District Fair as it grew into a major attraction for surrounding counties.  The fair is active in the Tennessee Association of Fairs and is recognized as one of the best in Tennessee.  Revenues are reinvested into the facilities of Rotary Park and enable club support of various projects and programs including The Rotary Foundation.

For more information on the Middle Tennessee District Fair,  click here .

Rotary Park 

Rotary Park is a city owned facility that is home to the Middle Tennessee District Fair and many other community events.  It is considered one of the best multi-use facilities in southern middle Tennessee.

Lawrenceburg Rotary financed the City of Lawrenceburg's purchase of land that is currently Rotary Park and assumed responsibility for operation of the Lawrence County Fair in 1950.  Fairview Park, as it was then known, consisted of an antiquated swimming pool, a few outdated buildings, and a primitive grandstand area.  The club built improved cattle barns, upgraded concession buildings to support the fair, and renamed the facility Rotary Park.  Over the years, it became apparent that permanent exhibit buildings would  be needed if the fair was to achieve its full potential.  At the same time, the City of Lawrenceburg needed a Community Center and was preparing to request federal and state grants to build gymnasiums.  Rotary agreed to provide matching monies for the grants in exchange for a twenty-five year renewable lease on park facilities.   The City of Lawrenceburg would continue  routine park maintenance while the Rotary Club maintained responsibility for long range planning and capital improvements.  The club has continued its commitment to Rotary Park with land acquisitions and capital expenditures totaling approximately two million dollars. Our current lease is good through the 21st century.

Rotary Park Facilities Include:

 

Public swimming pool with waterslide. The pool was completely renovated in 1990 with new decking, pool liner and filtration equipment; and .  the waterslide was purchased in 1999.  The City of Lawrenceburg assumed ownership and day to day management of the pool following the 1990 renovation.

 

 

 

Fairside Park, a lighted playground

 facility that was hand built in 2000 during a five day   "makeover" by Lawrenceburg Rotarians and other groups.  The playground features swings, slides, walk around play areas and a covered gazebo.  Twenty-four hour lighting was added in 2001.

 

 

 

 

Three gymnasiums suitable for community sports programs, fair exhibits, trade shows, company parties, and similar activities.  Construction began in 1974 and the Bud Webb Memorial Gymnasium was dedicated in 1975.  The City of Lawrenceburg added a third gym in the early 1990's.  Two of these buildings are air conditioned with plans to add AC to the  remaining building by 2008. 

 

 

A lighted show ring with grandstand seating for up to 4000 people.  This area is suitable for motorsports events, outdoor concerts, horse shows, rodeos, tractor pulls, and other activities.  The south grandstand was covered in 1978 and aluminum bleachers were added on the north side in 1981.  Improved lighting was added in 2002 and a dedicated pit entrance was constructed in 2006.

 

Covered pavillion suitable for livestock exhibitions, trade shows, farm equipment displays, scout jamborees, large picnics, and other activities.  The pavillion was constructed in 1995 and expanded in 1997.  Rotary demolished old stock barns and constructed a new city maintenance shop to make way for this facility.

 

 

Paved walking track and staging areas.   The walking track was installed in the late 1980's, and the staging areas were constructed in 2006.  The resulting area is ideal for parade staging, vehicle and horse trailer parking, and of course setting up the fair's carnival midway.  An unexpected use has been tailgating activities related to youth football and baseball practice.

 

Permanent lighting and electrical hookups throughout the park.  These facilities have greatly improved park security and its function as a multi-use facility. Twenty-four hour lighting is provided in many areas.

 

Picnic shelters, green areas, and stand alone public restroom facilities.  Rotary is first and foremost a city park, and these facilities support family activities on a year round basis.

 

 

Permanent meeting facility for the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club and affiliated organizations.

This area was renovated and configured into the current meeting room in 1994.  It has limited kitchen facilities and seating for over 100 people.  In 1997, the meeting room was named Beasley Hall in honor of long time fair manager John N. Beasley (deceased).

 

 

 

Middle Tennessee Fair Operations Building Commonly known as the Front Office, this facility was built in 2002 to beautify the entrance at Rotary Park and to improve fair support operations.  The building contains a dedicated customer service area, fair secretary's office, secure counting room, permanent ticket booths, and a multi-purpose storage and lounge area. 

Park Improvements consume most of the revenue generated by the Middle Tennessee District Fair.  Current projects include purchase of adjoining properties and adding outdoor facilities such as basketball courts, camper parking, green areas, and improved access to the property.

All or part of Rotary Park may be reserved by individuals and recognized organizations for their fund raising and other activities.  Nominal fees are charged based on the nature of the event and the facilities used.  Fees are directed to a park development account that is applied towards maintenance, clean up, and other park expenses.  Charges may be waived by the club's Board of Directors on a case by case basis. 

The partnership between the City of Lawrenceburg and the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club is a wonderful example of how good things can happen when public and private organizations work together.

Spring Community Fundraiser

For as long as anyone can remember, Lawrenceburg Rotary has conducted a spring fund raising campaign for organizations including the American Heart Association and other worthy groups.  In 2006-07, the club elected to change its emphasis toward local organizations with specific beneficiaries to be determined on a year by year basis.  Fund raising activities typically include a steak supper and auction plus direct appeals to the business community and general public. In 2007, the club raised funds for the "Safe and Smart" program;  a local organization that provides  after-school activities for underpriviledged children, and purchases school materials for children from families that are unable to afford them.

Chirstmas Party for Underpriviledged Children

Since 1993, Lawrenceburg Rotary has sponsored a Christmas party with all of the trimmings for underpriviledged children in Lawrence County.  We partner with the Summertown, and Lawrence County Interact Clubs to provide activities at Beasley Hall including story telling, games, lunch, and a visit from Santa.  Each child receives gifts to be opened at Christmas, and their family receives a food basket to help with their own holiday celebration. 

Financial Support for Local Organizations

Lawrenceburg Rotary provides direct financial support to various community organizations  including:

Imagination Library

The Shelter for Battered Women

Youth Football

Little League Baseball

After School Backpack Program

American Red Cross (Local Chapter)

Funding requests are evaluated by the Board of Directors and approved line items are included in the club budget.  Adhoc contributions are also approved on a case by case basis.

Four Avenues of Service at Lawrenceburg Rotary