NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The new 1861 Club on the Kansas State Fairgrounds will be unlike anything else they have there now.
"The idea was to find a base source of revenue for the Foundation that we could count on year-round," said James Fisher with the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation. "That would then allow all of our fundraisers and all of the other money that we go after to go 100% towards projects."
The venue will fill a size gap in the Hutchinson community.
"This venue will seat around 350 people at rounds," Fisher said. "The other venues in town, they max out at about 250 to 300. It's the largest venue in town, so if you have a large wedding or a large corporate event, we'll be that fit for you. In all honesty, the only other buildings that we're competing against in Hutchinson are the other buildings on the fairgrounds. What we're doing is just adding an opportunity for additional rentals."
1861 Club Manager Tami Rife can't wait to show off the new venue when it opens as part of the 2024 Kansas State Fair in September.
"It's going to be a 'wow' factor," Rife said. "When you walk into the doors, you're instantly going to be wowed. We want you to come in. We want you to relax. Have a beverage, have some food, some entertainment and stay a while. When you leave, I want you to take that 'wow factor' thought with you."
For bookings beginning in October 2024, contact Rife at (620) 615-7388.
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