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Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm

A Fair Barn

A Fair Barn is a place to hold your private function such as weddings, showers, family reunions, holiday, anniversary, and birthday parties. My name is Mistie.
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Welcome to a Fair Barn. My husband and I reside in Salem, IL. We lived here since 2004. When we purchased our property to build our home it had a beautiful barn sitting on it. The barn was originally the old Marion County Fair Barn. At the time we purchased our property we were told it was over 100 years old. That was over ten years ago. It was used for livestock at the fairgrounds. Sometime aroun

d 1950 it was moved to our location on S. Hotze Rd. It was put on the block foundation that it still sits on today. It looked pretty good on the outside, but wow when you went inside it was a mess. Hay was stacked to the ceiling. There was no electricity. Concrete feeding troughs went from one end to the other. We couldn’t see how bad of a condition it was in until we scooped out hay for days. My husband even fell through the loft floor it was that bad. Luckily the old lofts were not very high from the dirt floor. We debated on tearing it down once we saw the condition of all the wood. Posts were rotting out and the lofts were very unsafe. We called a company to come out and give us an estimate on tearing it down and building us a new one. Thank goodness we had a very honest man talking to us. He said “I would love to build you a new barn, but you can build five new barns and see them fall and this one will be still standing.” So with that said we decided it would be a fun project and a great place to store stuff in. With the help of family and friends we began what we thought was going to be a two year project. Well we slightly underestimated the work we were going to do. Five years later we are almost done. We jacked up and replaced the main poles. Jackhammered out all the concrete troughs. The lofts were removed board by board. Let me tell you that old oak is heavy and nails were put there to stay. Once all that was done we started trying to make it look the way it did in its glory days. We build a two tier loft completely around the barn with railing to make it safe. Added stairways so you could make a complete circle from either side. New windows and doors were installed. And a concrete floor was added. Finally we insulated the entire barn, ceiling and all to help keep drafts and birds out. Once that was done we hung knotty pine tongue and groove in the entire upper area. We stained it dark green so that it could blend with the country side. The lower block level was painted and we have rustic style lighting and electrical outlets all throughout. Recently we added a high efficiency wood stove to make it cozy in the winter. Within the next few months we will have the south side completed with bathrooms, kitchen and storage. Not too long ago we had a family inquire about holding weddings in it. I was excited. That was never in the plan, but I liked the idea. So next thing you knew we were hosting our very first wedding. I always thought it would be great to have an event planning business, but living in a small community I never thought it would go over good. I still can’t believe it never crossed my mind to turn it into a venue for celebration of all types. Especially since we have had our annual Halloween party out there for several years. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. What started out as a fun project and an excuse to buy tools and play outside turned into a dream come true that I never thought would happen. It is also a great way to meet new people and work at a job you really enjoy doing. Most people are never that lucky, and we feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to share our barn with you and help make your celebration one you will remember for years to come. We are just getting started so we can only imagine what the future of our barn holds. We get new ideas every day. Please call us so that we can be a part of your special day. Whether it be a wedding, shower, or family reunion. We will do our best to make yours the best it can be!!! Thank you for stopping in!! Al and Mistie Urdaneta

08/28/2024

Love this! Can’t wait to see the full video! 🩵🩵🩵

08/26/2024

Happy National Dog Day to this girl Ellie Mae! Don’t let that sweet face fool you!💗🌸💗let’s see your furry friends!

08/25/2024

We just got in these pretty dusty blue table clothes & overlays. We love them!!

08/18/2024

Sunflowers & Navy is always pretty 🌻 Pictures do not do justice to how pretty this navy skirt is, and with the twinkle lights behind it was beautiful!

08/07/2024

I love this idea for your bridal flowers!🌸

07/31/2024

Send a message to learn more

07/26/2024

Here’s a peek inside the barn when it is set up for an event 🎀💐👰🏼‍♀️🤵🏻

07/26/2024

It was a beautiful day. Here’s a look at what the outdoor Pavilion & Patio area looks like 🥰

07/23/2024

To have a successful business, you need a great team. We love our’s, and could not do what we do without every one in these pics!

07/21/2024

It is such an honor when families choose our venue more than once. It the best way to know you are doing something right! Saturday we had the pleasure of hosting Brock & Michelle Rommelman’s wedding reception. It was so fun to see Steve & Michelle Rommelman & the rest of the family again! Thank you all so very much for blessing us with helping in your special day!

06/24/2024

Introducing Mr. And Mrs. Billingsley. These photos are amazing!💗

06/23/2024

These are so good!!!

06/23/2024

Congratulations Reagan & Caylee Billingsley! It’s always a great day when we have friends & family celebrating a wonderful couple!

06/20/2024

We absolutely love when we have families choose to have not one, but two of their daughter’s weddings here! It makes it even better when the families are such great people! Congratulations Annie & Jake! We wish you so much happiness!

💐Arch florals are fresh & done by Flower Girls. Callie always does such a great job!

06/14/2024

Rehearsal dinner tonight here at the barn. Check out this scrumptious carrot cake with praline sauce and candied pecans. Great dessert after our Italian meal!🩵💗🩵Created by Jennifer at A Fair Barn catering.

06/09/2024

Sneak Peek from Hannah Winner Photography! These pics are gorgeous.🩵 Mr. And Mrs. Michael. 6.8.24

06/06/2024

Mr. And Mrs. Marrero chose pink as their main color. I loved the garden look. It was a rainy day but great weather in the evening. 💗💗💗

06/03/2024

Friday was such a beautiful day for a reception. We always love having friends & people we know here, especially when the bride & groom are so sweet & kind! Congratulations Maleah & Alex! Thank you for choosing us to help make your day special. We wish you the very best!!

05/27/2024

Beautiful day for a beautiful reception.

05/27/2024

Need a daddy daughter song! Check out this list!

05/19/2024

Saturday was a beautiful day! No filter needed for the first arch decor of the warm season 💐

04/21/2024

We had a great time hosting the Salem Chamber Awards Gala! The guests were all dressed up in their best attire, and everyone looked amazing! Fun night for the adults! The bar was hopping & we loved doing all the special drinks! You were all great to serve! Thank you Salem Chamber for choosing to have your event with us! Also, Balloons By Design did an amazing backdrop!

04/17/2024

Our grandson Grant and his beautiful fiance London. Love these engagement photos. 💗💗💗
I should also include our grandpup Maverick!🩵

04/09/2024

03/31/2024

We love baby showers! Great weather & a great day! Thanks Beth Boeker for letting us host! We wish Julie & Mitchell the best with this new adventure!

03/23/2024

Brides still looking for Fall dates in 2024 available, we have had two open up.

* September 21st
* October 5th

If you are interested, please contact us at the barn Wednesday-Friday 10-5
@ 618-740-1515
We would love to help your big day be perfect & stress free!

03/08/2024

September 21st, 2024 (THIS YEAR)💗 has become available. PLEASE CALL BARN FOR INFO! 618-740-1515.

02/23/2024

02/03/2024

New decor just arrived! Added lots of new items to our inventory. I love bling and gold and glass! Gearing up for our 10th year!!! Can you believe it!
🌺💍💐💗🤵‍♂️👰‍♀️💗💐💍🌺

Address

3416 Hotze Road
Salem, IL
62881

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm

Website

http://www.afairbarn.com/

Alerts

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Videos

Here’s a peek inside the barn when it is set up for an event 🎀💐👰🏼‍♀️🤵🏻

It was a beautiful day. Here’s a look at what the outdoor Pavilion & Patio area looks like 🥰

One of my very favorite things to do for any event here is the arch 🌺🌸🌼🌻🌹🌷🍁🌾🌿🍃 I love all the different ways the brides choose to have it decorated, and it’s especially fun when they say ‘do what you think will look good, I trust you’. That’s a pretty big responsibility!! 🙀 But I’m up for it! We really do love helping each & every couple have the best day ever!!

The roof is on!!!

Wanting a summer wedding but worried it’s too hot to enjoy the outdoor part of our venue??? Don’t be!!!! Check it out before you rule it out!

Come out to our Bridal Show Today! We are here until 4pm.

Putting together the new chairs for our outdoor bar and patio area. Check them out!

New Outdoor Bar Area is ready!!! Pictures do not even do it justice! Huge thank you to everyone that helped get it ready!

New Outside Drink/Bar Area is in progress! So very excited about this new addition to our outside patio!

Our newest addition for those of you not able to make it. Built by Bryan Miller of Norton's Landscape. Marty and Scott work for him. Not quite finished yet but going to be even more beautiful when it's done! Watch till the end!

And down she came. I love the way the old barn wood looks. I hope we can save some of it for projects. Or better yet wouldn't it be neat if the whole barn was sided in a weathered gray rough oak??? Oh ideas ideas!!!