Six inches of ice proved too much for the arena roof at the Saline County Fairgrounds in January. The ice caused a catastrophic collapse over the rodeo and bleachers. It also led to the loss of a livestock barn. The Saline County Fair Association is now working with county leaders and an architect to rebuild — with plans to come back “bigger and better,” according to a statement on social media.
On January 27, 2026, officials announced that approximately six inches of ice accumulation was too much weight for the arena roof to bear, resulting in a catastrophic collapse. The damage forced the immediate closure of the fairgrounds.
Nearly a month later, on February 25, the Saline County Fair Association provided an update on recovery efforts and rebuilding plans. 👇🏼See video below of the Thomas Arena, during (1) and after (2) the collapse. Read more after the video…