This summer, the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities is expanding its presence on the Hartford Fairgrounds.

The Board will still have a table with the other county agencies under the Grandstand, but visitors can also enjoy the new LCBDD Family Resource Center in the former dormitory, located between the Commerce and Arts and Crafts buildings.

The Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 5 to Aug. 9, and guests will have the opportunity to experience five days of different activities:

• Monday, Aug. 5: Assistive Technology Fair: Join the Ohio Tech Ambassadors to learn more about technology options to help people live more independently.  

• Tuesday, Aug. 6: Meet the Providers! Learn more about the dedicated caregivers who support people with disabilities in our community and find out about career opportunities.

• Wednesday, Aug. 7: Ready for the Future: Find out about local resources for teens and young adults as they prepare for life after high school and win some prizes!

• Thursday, Aug. 8: Early       Childhood Family Fun: Bring the little ones for a day of games, fun and information for parents about local resources for families. 

• Friday, Aug. 9: Community Partner Day: Meet some of the great community partners who bring services and supports to Licking County and score some fun giveaways. 

Plans for the resource center began after the first successful Animal Adventures show was held on the fairgrounds in 2023. 

That success led to further conversations with Fair Secretary/Manager Rod Arter about ways LCBDD could be more involved with the fair, said Jason Umstot, LCBDD’s Superintendent/CEO.  

The dormitory was not being used and the Fair Board offered LCBDD the opportunity to lease the building for the next three years.

Early plans included the renovation of the dormitory’s bathrooms and shower area to create a space for a universal/adult changing table and a sensory room, which could both be used during the fair. 

However, construction delays pushed that project, which is now planned to be completed for the 2025 Hartford Fair, Umstot said.

Offering an accessible restroom with a universal/adult changing table at the 2024 fair was a priority for LCBDD, and fortunately there was a great alternative available. 

The Momentum Refresh vehicle will be on the Fairgrounds (including during the 2024 Animal Adventures show) parked next to the Centerburg food stand. The vehicle will be available to the public during the following hours:

• 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4.

• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5 – Friday, Aug. 9.

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10.

Momentum Refresh is the first-ever universally designed mobile restroom resource in the U.S. Their restroom vehicles, which are the size of a food truck, include a wheelchair lift, an adjustable changing table that can accommodate an adult, a ceiling hoist and an accessible toilet and sink. 

Trained staff members stay with the vehicle at all times to provide information and clean the space between uses. 

LCBDD used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to enter into a contract with Momentum Refresh, allowing the vehicle to be available at several major festivals and events around Licking County this summer.

The Board is sponsoring the vehicle’s rental fee for the entire fair, making it free and open to anyone who needs assistance with personal care, including people with disabilities, seniors and veterans. 

“We know that when accessible restrooms aren’t available, people often stay home. We hope that this new opportunity will allow people to attend the fair for the first time, or stay longer and enjoy all the Fairgrounds has to offer,” Umstot said.  “The Hartford Fair Board has been a great partner and we are excited to continue working together to promote inclusion.” 

The Board will use additional ARPA funds to complete the renovation and construction of the universal changing space and sensory room, which are expected to be available in 2025 to benefit fair guests of all ages and abilities. 

“At LCBDD we believe that when community spaces are more accessible to the people we support, our entire community benefits,” Umstot said. “We are proud to be able to bring these resources to ‘The Biggest Little Fair in the World.’”

To find out where else to find the Momentum Refresh vehicle in Licking County, visit https://lcountydd.org/momentum/.