GOSHEN — Expect change at this year’s incarnation of the Elkhart County 4-H fair.

The new 253-acre parcel at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds has quickly been put to use and will allow for expansion of a variety of fair activites. It also creates new space for parking.

The moves may be baby steps since fair officials still have to detail long-term plans with the new $1.4 million plot, acquired last year. Even so, change is change and here’s a peek at what to expect thanks to the new plot, located east of the original fairground site:

• Picnics, RVs: An expanded corporate picnic area is going in on the eastern end of the fairgrounds. Also, recreational vehicle manufacturers Jayco and EverGreen will occupy a new display area focused on the RV industry and there will be new outdoor commercial space.

• A new ride: The midway will be expanded slightly, in part by relocation of the Miracle of Life Animal Birthing Center closer to the new eastern entrance area, according to Kristy Ambrosen, marketing manager for the fair. That will allow for the addition of a new ride, Vertigo, which “will send riders 100 feet swinging in the air,” said North American Midway Entertainment rep Danny Huston.

• Fireworks: Presuming the drought doesn’t interfere, the new land will allow the fair to offer a fireworks show for the first time, on July 28, the last day. Till now, the fairgrounds was too small and the potential threat to people too large for such a production, according to Diane Kritzman, who’s helping raise funds to cover the cost of the new land.

• Camping: Space on the west side of the fairgrounds that has been used for parking during the fair will be turned into 48 new camping spots for 4-H kids and others. That boosts the total number of camping spots available to exhibitors and 4-Hers to around 345, according to Rich Utley, the 4-H camping director.

SHOOTING, FISHING CLUBS

Aside from the use it’ll get when the fair starts, the land has also been getting use from some individual Elkhart County 4-H clubs.

• Shooting club: The Elkhart County 4-H Shooting Sports Club started using an old gravel pit on the land as a practice range last spring, which is still being developed. The club had used a shooting range managed by the Elkhart Fraternal Order of Police, and the new space allows for a measure of independence.

“We don’t have to rely on a third party,” said Dan Hummel, who helps run the club. “This is a great improvement, enhancement for the club.”

• Fishing club: The Elkhart County 4-H Fishing Club will use a pond on the new land for fishing, but first needs to clear some brush, according to Shane Blotkamp, who helps lead the club. Club members have used a pond on the farm of a member in the past.

Broadly, in incorporating the new 253 acres into the fair, officials are first thinking about how best to move people to and from the fairgrounds. There’s talk of a new entrance via C.R. 36, among other things, and a traffic study will be completed during this year’s fair to help get a handle on traffic trends, aiding in the process.