Rabbit Barn ribboncutting

Leslie Marbaugh cuts the ribbon on the new Rabbit Barn at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds on Tuesday. Marbaugh donated the winnings from her 2012 grand champion rabbit meat pen to help get fundraising for the new facility off the ground. The new barn replaces a 125-year-old structure that was falling down around the rabbits. Over the past two years, the New Rabbit Barn Building Committee formed to raise funds for the building held bake sales, duck races, barbecues, raffles, 50/50 drawings and lots of other fundraisers to help fund the project. Iberdrola Renewables donated the electrical contract work funds, while many other businesses and organizations, including The Van Wert County Foundation, donated to the project. Chris Heizman, Bunny Hoppers 4-H Club advisor, said funds are currently being sought to purchase more cages and install a concrete floor in the building (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)