SALINE COUNTY, Ark. – The Saline County Fairgrounds rodeo arena collapsed Tuesday after heavy snow and sleet built up on the roof, causing the structure to fail.

Saline County Judge Matt Brumley said the collapse occurred a little after 3 p.m., with Benton Utilities shutting off power to the damaged building. Later assessments placed the collapse around 3:30 p.m. in the oldest section of the arena.

Brumley said he met with the fair board, Benton police, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Saline County Office of Emergency Management as officials began determining next steps toward repairs.

The roof of the main arena, a nearly 20,000-square-foot building used for weekly rodeos, barrel racing, livestock shows, and youth agricultural activities, collapsed under the weight of dense snow. No one was inside at the time, and no injuries were reported. Officials have described the structure as a total loss.

“This is our second major structure in Saline County that has collapsed in just a few days,” Brumley said, referencing a recent collapse of a county road department equipment shed. “The structure is a total loss, and that’s what we’re planning for now. Logistically, we’re going to have to get this out of here and rebuild.”

The Southern Junior Rodeo Association had been scheduled to hold a rodeo this weekend, which has been canceled. Organizers are now working to find another location for the rest of the season.

Insurance adjusters were contacted within hours, and the county has begun the procurement process to seek bids and proposals for reconstruction, according to Brumley.

“This is a hub of activity for our community,” he said. “Our fair, our youth livestock programs, rodeos — this place is almost in use every week.”

Dustin Parsons, president of the Saline County Fair Association, said video shows the roof collapsing straight down into the center of the arena.

“It was like a box being pushed in from the top,” Parsons said. “Both sides just caved in toward the middle. In a situation like this, it was the best-case scenario because no one was here.”

Parsons said youth groups that regularly use the arena are now searching for alternate venues.

“One of the hardest parts is the kids,” he said. “This is where they practice, where they compete and where they’ve built memories.”

The fairgrounds are owned and insured by Saline County and operated by the volunteer-based Saline County Fair Association, which has operated for more than 100 years. Cleanup will begin after engineers and insurance representatives complete their assessments, with plans focused on rebuilding a new arena for the community.

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