Kansas State Fair
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair has been awarded a $99,000 Attraction Development Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to support the preservation and renewal of Ye Old Mill, one of the fair’s most iconic and historic attractions.
Bridgette Jobe, director of the Kansas Tourism Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce, presented the $99,000 grant check Wednesday on the Kansas State Fairgrounds, marking a milestone in the effort to preserve the attraction.
Originally built in 1915, Ye Old Mill has carried generations of Kansas families through its winding waterways and remains one of the most beloved traditions of the Kansas State Fair. It is also one of only three remaining Old Mill-style attractions in the United States, making its preservation especially important to Kansas history and tourism.
The state grant will help support a broader Ye Old Mill Preservation and Renewal Campaign, a fundraising effort focused on preserving the attraction so it can continue operating for decades.
“This grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce is a meaningful investment in preserving one of the Kansas State Fair’s most recognizable and cherished experiences,” Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz said. “Ye Old Mill is more than a ride. It’s a shared tradition for generations of Kansas families. This campaign ensures it remains part of the fair experience for the next generation.”
After more than a century of operation, Ye Old Mill requires preservation and renewal work to protect its future. The project will focus on the ride’s boats, waterways, building protection and essential systems, including replacement of ride boats, canal repairs and sealing, roof replacement and electrical upgrades.
Fair officials said the improvements will preserve the attraction’s historic character while enhancing visitor safety, comfort and day-to-day reliability.
Alongside the grant announcement, the Kansas State Fair and the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation are inviting supporters across the state to help preserve the attraction.
The Ye Old Mill Preservation and Renewal Campaign offers several ways for individuals, families and businesses to participate. One of the campaign’s signature opportunities is the Captain’s Club Boat Sponsorship, where donors can sponsor one of eight ride boats and become a lasting part of the attraction’s future.
Additional giving levels allow supporters to contribute to the preservation effort while being recognized as part of the campaign.
“For more than a century, Ye Old Mill has been woven into the Kansas State Fair experience,” Schulz said. “Through this campaign, we’re inviting Kansans who love the fair to help preserve a piece of our shared history.”
Individuals and organizations interested in supporting the Ye Old Mill Preservation and Renewal Campaign can learn more or make a contribution through the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation.
More information is available at KansasStateFair.gov.