MIDLAND EMPIRE FAIRGROUNDS - Billlings, Montana
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 45° 47.883 W 108° 28.840
12T E 695784 N 5074696
Fairgrounds in Billings, Montana.
Waymark Code: WM6RY4
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 07/15/2009
Views: 3
MIDLAND EMPIRE FAIRGROUNDS, entrance at E. end of 1st Ave. N. has a half-mile track and permanent buildings including a large T-shaped main building with a barrel-vaulted roof and an auditorium seating 10,000. The fair features extensive agricultural and livestock exhibits, racing with pari-mutuel betting, and a rodeo in which ranking performers compete. - Montana: A State Guide Book, 1939, Billings Section, pg. 133.
The fairgrounds are now called MetraPark and is a multi-facility event venue. MetraPark now includes the 10,000 seeat Rimrock Auto Areaa, a 6,500 seat grandstand, the 77,400 square foot Expo Center, the 28,800 square foot Montana Pavilion, a half mile track used for both horse racing and motor sports, and an assortment of horsebarns and smaller buildings. The entrance is no longer located at the east end of 1st Avenue, that entrance is closed, the entrance is now located at the east end of 4th Avenue.
There are several different types of events hosted at Metrapark but the largest is MontanaFair. The fair has has three names since its inception in 1916, Midland Empire Exposition, Yellowstone Exposition, and now, MontanaFair. The fair moved the the current location in 1918. The fair currently draws nearly 250,000 annually to the 9 day event.