Blue Ribbon Barn
The Blue Ribbon Barn started as an idea in 2017, though Amanda didn’t have a name, land or building, she knew one day owning and operating a venue would be her dream come true…
Our Story
Through the years, Jordan and Amanda Hunt kept their minds open, waiting for the right time and opportunity. Then it happened – in early 2022 this beautiful space that was just up the road from their then home, was listed for sale! Amanda was trying to call Jordan but he was already on the phone with his uncle Jody Hunt, and they were discussing wanting to own this building! Jody thought of opening it back up as the Dairy Barn, which was a restaurant and gas station years ago.
However, Jordan already knew what Amanda was trying to call about – a wedding venue!
April 2022 papers were signed, and keys handed over to Jody, Jordan and Amanda and the ideas started flowing. Thankfully they had a great canvas to start with, due to the hard work of Bob Ford – the retired local contractor who owned the building prior, and poured so much love into fixing up the once abandoned building!
While coming up with the name, and discussing the history of the building, Jody and Jordan reminisced on all the memories this building brought back. In the late 1800’s this property was the original Cheboygan County FairGrounds. Then it became an auction house for cattle, where they had fencing that led down to the railroad, and cattle would be herded onto the rail cars after auction. Some time later it became the town’s baseball diamond and games would be played in the now parking lot. Then, the Dairy Barn which was the local hot spot for the working men to have their morning coffee, including Jody’s father, Lynwood Hunt. Plus, Jordan’s mother LeeAnn Poupard would serve that coffee as a waitress.
As locals have stopped in to check out the progress, they too looked back on the past and spoke of watching drive-in movies, drinking milkshakes, as well as playing basketball upstairs! This is how the name The Blue Ribbon Barn came to be – an ode to its history as the fairgrounds where blue ribbons were won, and “barn” remains in remembrance to the auction house and Dairy Barn.
Over the course of April 2022 to June 2023 plans were made and executed to get ready for the first wedding on June 10th, 2023. The once broken concrete and a bumpy field in the back transitioned to the beautiful courtyard! Landscaping designed and set by Lincoln Landscapes, concrete patio and ceremony area poured by Keith Kucka, and sod laid by the three owners, plus help from Josh Hunt and Aaron Jaroche. JLH Fence built the beautiful wooden fence that gives the courtyard the perfect privacy and rustic feel.
While the courtyard magic was happening, the inside received some wonderful upgrades as well! The dining area floor was finished by Integrity Concrete Coatings, the glass overhead door openings and some walls refinished by Third Coast Custom Builders and Remodeling, and the glass doors were set by JM Doors.
The Barn was officially ready for its first season of weddings.
During openings between weddings, more construction has been done by Third Coast Custom Builders, creating a wonderful cocktail area, DJ booth and bridal lounge!