If you’ve ever stepped foot on the Flathead County Fairgrounds, whether to watch a rodeo, browse a trade show, or cheer on a 4-H competitor, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced the quiet organization and calm presence of Mark Niemeyer.
Since 2012, Mark has served as the Fairgrounds Office Coordinator, a role that sounds humble but requires tireless dedication, adaptability, and the ability to wear many hats. Over more than a decade, Mark has become a behind-the-scenes force helping make the fairgrounds what it is today: a hub of tradition, activity, and community connection.
Originally from Great Falls, Mark came to the Flathead by way of Boulder, Colorado, where he worked in campus ministry. But Montana called him back. When a job opened at the Flathead County Fairgrounds, it felt like the perfect fit for Mark.
What he found here was more than a job. “I love what I imagine what everyone loves about the Flathead…the mountains, hiking, lakes and streams,” Mark says. “I love to paddleboard and kayak, so this area is ideal.” That connection to place has been reflected in his commitment to serving the people who live here.
As Office Coordinator, Mark has been part of a lean team, just himself and the Fair Manager for many years, until the recent addition of a Sponsorship/Events Coordinator. “We’re a very small team that has to achieve a lot,” he says. “We are each very focused on the specific things we’re trying to accomplish.”
Under his tenure, the fair has evolved while still staying true to its roots. The introduction of new technologies has made things like registration much more efficient, and every new fair manager has brought fresh ideas. But the mission has remained: to celebrate our heritage, welcome the public, and create a space where community can thrive.
It’s that constant variety that Mark enjoys most—getting to work with vendors, event organizers, and subject-matter experts from across the region. “This job has given me the opportunity to really engage with our community and connect with a lot of different people,” he says.
Like many in the Flathead, Mark hopes to stay, but acknowledges the rising cost of housing is a challenge. With his parents nearby and deep roots in the area through friends and church, his hope is to remain connected to the community he’s served so faithfully, even as he begins exploring a new chapter.
To those of us in county government and to the countless fairgoers who’ve benefited from his work without ever realizing it; thank you, Mark. Your steady hand, professionalism, and deep dedication have made a lasting mark on the Flathead County Fairgrounds and on all of us who’ve had the pleasure to work beside you.