The Friends of Hamilton County Extension has entered the public phase of a major fundraising campaign aimed at improving the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds as part of the broader Silos @ 37 project.

Organizers say more than $4 million has already been secured through donations, grants, and pledges to support ongoing upgrades to the fairgrounds and events center.

The public kickoff came during the group’s “Denim & Diamonds” event held March 6, where several early donors were recognized for their contributions. Among those honored were Sonny and Glendia Beck and the Beck Foundation, Gary Reynolds and the Reynolds Family, and Charlotte and Forrest Lucas.

Additional support has come from a group of Seed Gift Partners, including Hamilton County Tourism, Riverview Health Foundation, Duke Energy, the Hamilton County Farm Bureau, the Hamilton County Extension Homemakers, and the Hamilton County Master Gardeners.

“It was a wonderful evening to gather with people who value Extension and want to see it continue to thrive in Hamilton County,” said board chairman David Day. “We’ve made great progress, but there’s more work ahead, and we welcome anyone who wants to be part of this effort.”

The fundraising campaign supports future phases of improvements at the fairgrounds. An initial phase—funded by a $15 million investment from Hamilton County Government—was completed this fall. That work included upgrades to the exhibition center and llama barn, along with construction of a new Bicentennial Pavilion.

Looking ahead, plans call for a new multi-purpose show arena, expanded classroom space for educational programming, and additional climate-controlled buildings to allow for year-round use. Improvements to entrances and the replacement of aging structures are also part of the long-term vision.

Organizers say the upgrades are designed to expand the fairgrounds’ role as a hub for community events, agriculture education, and youth programming across Hamilton County.

Those interested in contributing to the campaign or learning more about naming opportunities can contact the Friends of Hamilton County Extension directly at friendsofhamcoextension@gmail.com or call 463-254-2022..