Moyra's Pavilion Project
For many years Moyra and her dance family have performed at the Johnson County Fairgrounds Free Stage. If you have never been to the freestage, it is a small hump of rocky asphalt, sandwiched between a metal storage barn and metal bleachers. There is no shelter from popup summer showers and no shade from the hot July sun. Even at that, it is a treasure to many local youth wishing to share their talents with the community.
Under the blazing sun, Moyra’s dance company would give it their all at the Free Stage. They would not hold back as they danced, twirled, and flipped, frequently sliding or landing on the burning asphalt below in an effort to please the crowd. At the end of the performance all the dancers would sit together while recovering from heat exhaustion and compare their wounds, burns, scratches and scrapes all left by the scorching rocky asphalt. There were many years Moyra would proudly display her Free Stage wounds in the livestock arena as she led a steer into the show just minutes after leaving her performance on the Free Stage.
It is the goal of the Moyra McCain Memorial Foundation to build a Pavilion at the entrance of Johnson County fair grounds with the main intent of providing a comfortable and Free Stage during the Johnson County Fair that can adequately showcase the amazing talent that is present throughout our community. This pavilion is not only the perfect way to honor Moyra’s passions for dance and 4-H, but would also provide our community with a venue that would allow many dancers, singers, musicians comedians and a variety of talented performers to pursue their own passions in a comfortable, accommodating environment, while fans, relatives, and even interested passersby could rest and enjoy the County Fair performances in a shaded and sheltered reprieve.
Although Moyra's Pavilion would serve as a suitable and much needed venue as the Free Stage during the Johnson County Fair, it will also continue to serve and enhance our community throughout the year. It's versatility would allow members of our community to host a plethora of other activities in a venue befitting events such as elegant weddings, stylish graduation parties, festive birthday celebrations and more. It fills us with pride to envision that Moyra’s Pavilion could host all those events we wish so desperately we could celebrate with her).
The foundation is already working closely with the Johnson County Fairboard to make this goal a reality. Early estimates indicate we will need to raise $100,000.00 in order to meet our goal. The memorial foundation committee is working diligently to raise the needed funds and is already off to a great start. The Moyra McCain Memorial fund was started shortly after Moyra’s passing with the generous donations of individuals, organizations, local business donations, and Moyra's loving dance and 4-H families. The fund has continued to be sustained with the fundraising efforts of the memorial foundation. To date, the fund has allowed Moyra’s memorial foundation to proudly provide multiple dance scholarships, both recreational and competitive; sponsor many 4-H Fair events, awards and competition; along with proudly hosting multiple school based programs which introduce students of all ages to the fun and fulfillment that can be provided by participating in dance and 4-H. The Moyra McCain Memorial fund also supports community events and causes including family-fun dance events and family activity booths at local festivals, contributions and sponsorship for Dancers Against Cancer, 4H Spark Clubs, and most recently our local Diaper Drive.
It is the goal of the memorial foundation to continue supporting these worthwhile endeavors while meeting the current goal to build Moyra's Pavilion on the Johnson County 4H fairgrounds. Moyra’s mantra was always, “Don’t wish for it. Work for it!” With that mantra in our hearts, we are working hard to raise the funds to continue our current support for dance and 4H programs and scholarships, while providing this much needed structure to a community that was dearly loved by Moyra and who have already shown their love for Moyra in many ways!
Please check back frequently to this page as we share updates toward our goal of building a Free Stage Pavilion on the Johnson County Fairgrounds.
If you are interested in helping us achieve our goal through the donation of money, materials, labor, or other ongoing necessities, please contact us at moyramccainmemorialfoundation@gmail.com.