Kansas State Fair Receives $99,000 Grant to Preserve Historic Ye Old Mill

One of the Kansas State Fair’s most beloved attractions is getting a major boost to help ensure its future.

The Kansas State Fair has been awarded a $99,000 Attraction Development Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to support preservation efforts for Ye Old Mill, a historic ride that has been part of the fairgrounds since 1915.

Bridgette Jobe, Director of the Kansas Tourism Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce, presented the grant check Wednesday morning in front of the ride on the Kansas State Fairgrounds, marking an important milestone in the effort to preserve this treasured attraction.

“We value what’s here with the Old Mill,” Jobe said during the presentation. “It is something that is iconic to Kansas. And we want to make sure that it is restored, that it is in its best shape, and that visitors, when they come to Kansas, have a wonderful time, and that they go back and tell everyone else about it.”

Check presentation on Wednesday morning, March 18, 2026, in front of the historic Ye Old Mill.

Ye Old Mill has carried generations of fairgoers through its winding waterways for more than a century and is now one of only three remaining Old Mill-style rides in the United States. Fair officials say that makes preserving it especially important to both Kansas history and tourism.

“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,” said General Manager Bryan Schulz. “Ye Old Mill is more than a ride—it’s a shared tradition for generations of Kansas families."

Kansas State Fair Board members take a ride in the Ye Old Mill in 2022. (Photo courtesy of the Kansas State Fair)


The Ye Old Mill ride tunnel can be seen on the north side of the ride's entrance. (Photo courtesy of the Kansas State Fair)The Ye Old Mill ride at the Kansas State Fair. (Photo courtesy of the Kansas State Fair)

Planned improvements include replacing ride boats, repairing and sealing canals, updating electrical systems, and replacing the roof. The work is designed to maintain the ride’s historic character while improving safety and reliability. The ride will be open during the Kansas State Fair with renovations occuring as funding allows. 

The entrance to the ride includes a sign that says "Turn Back Now!"

The boats used in the ride are believed to be the original boats.

This presentation also marked the start of a broader Ye Old Mill Preservation & Renewal Campaign aimed at maintaining and restoring the iconic attraction. The Kansas State Fair and the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation are inviting the public to contribute to the campaign. Supporters can participate through donation opportunities, including a “Captain’s Club” boat sponsorship program. 

For more information, go to https://www.kansasstatefair.gov/p/general-information1/ye-old-mill-preservation. Organizers say community support will play a key role in ensuring the attraction continues operating for decades to come. 

The 2026 Kansas State Fair is scheduled for September 11–20 in Hutchinson.

The Old Mill is located right at the start of the ride.




Reno County Commissioner Don Bogner talks to Richard Shank, Vice Chairman of the Kansas Fairground Foundation Board of Directors and Kansas State Fair Ambassador.