Donning hard hats and safety wear, past BOTAR presidents received a tour of the new American Royal building project currently happening in Wyandotte County, courtesy of the top brass at the Royal. Jackie McClaskey, president and chief executive officer,led the eager group through the already-raised five barn configuration.

Surprised to hear that the total barn square footage is approximately one million, and the overall size of seven football fields, were Marya Stallard, Mary Hodge, Tracy Tetrick, Julie McCann, Jenny Turner Tuttle, Julie Jurden, Mary Ann Kilroy, Amy Polen, board member; Cynthia Pistilli Savage, board member; Cindy Cowherd, Anne Russ, Alison Ward, Carol Fryer, and current BOTAR president, Natalie Kirk Welch. Assisting with the tour were Maggie Mohrfeld, American Royal; Ken Wagner, board member; Lindsey Patterson Smith, board member; and Kyle Vena, American Royal. Slated to be ready for business in the first quarter of 2026, the new and improved facilities will have much to offer in keeping with being the premiere agricultural, livestock, rodeo, horse show, and event center in the country. And, all of this is concurrent with the celebration of the Royal’s 125th anniversary!

Featured in the October 5, 2024 issue of The Independent