NOTE: This story was written prior to business closings and restrictions on gatherings. The Red Shed Event Center looks forward to eventually getting back to business as usual and serving their customers.
For the past three years, the Red Shed Event Center has been one of a number of sparkling businesses in the Clarion area. Located on the north edge of town, the venue has become the go-to place to be rented by individuals and companies. It is fast becoming a premiere location for destination wedding and receptions. Julie Dunker, along with husband Steve, are the owners and managers of the facility.
History of the building
“It was in the late 1980s that my youngest brother started showing cattle (5 Star Cattle Company),” said Julie. “Shortly after that, it was renamed Trace Cyclone Cattle Company. Our building was originally built (early 1990s) as a machine shed. The west part of the building had a dirt floor.” In 2008, Julie’s dad (John Hagie) had his first October production sale of his cattle in the Red Shed. The video cattle auctions became an immediate hit with as many as 400 people attending the annual fall sales.
After the first year, John decided to continue upgrading the building. “He had already put in the concrete floor in the west portion of the building,” said Julie, “but he added bathrooms, a bar, heating and air conditioning.” After changes in the family dynamics and John deciding to retire from the cattle operation, the cattle company had their final sale in 2016.
So now what to do with such a nice facility?
The new event center becomes a reality
“Mom and I had been active in retail with Daisy’s on Main for 17 years,” said Julie, “and we saw that retail had changed. We knew we wanted to do one or the other. So in August of 2017, we made the decision to close Daisy’s and open the event center.” It opened in November 2017. John and Barb Hagie continue to own the building; Julie and Steve take care of what happens inside.
While the building was in great physical shape, there were a number of steps to make the needed changes. “We put in a new entrance,” said Julie. “While we had storage above the bathrooms, it was accessed by a ladder. We added a stairway for ease in storing needed items. We added heating and air conditioning to the east side. There was draping, chandeliers, sound panels, and carpet which were installed, plus updates to the bar area.”
Open for weddings and receptions of all sizes
The Red Shed is becoming widely known as a venue for wedding receptions and destination weddings. “We continue to book and host more and more of the wedding events here,” said Julie. “We can comfortably seat up to 300 people.” Last year, they hosted 18 wedding receptions with 75% of the couples choosing to be married there. Julie noted that only three of the weddings were for local couples. A new outdoor wedding area is being readied for the 2020 season.
The Shed continues to take wedding bookings for 2020. Julie said, “I am meeting with two brides at the end of this week.”
One thing bridal parties tend to like is The Red Shed only books one wedding party per weekend. “It gives those involved more time to decorate on Friday, enjoy the wedding and reception on Saturday, and finish cleaning up on Sunday,” said Julie. “Bridal parties tend to like that more leisurely pace.” Rental includes more than the cost of the facility: set up/take down of chairs. Moving chairs outdoors for weddings, if that is desired. Plus being available for the entire process. There are two dance floors on the east and west sides of the building. Or there can be one larger dance floor on the west side of the building for larger weddings. Costs for the three-day package begins at $1,900 for the wedding receptions. Contracts are signed, a deposit is made. Payment is due 60 days before the actual wedding. “We ask the wedding parties to stop the music at 11 p.m. with the building being closed at midnight.”
Other meetings
More and more parties of all kinds are held at the building. “Because what we do here is getting more and more popular,” said Julie, “we like to take reservations for events as soon as possible so we can be available for everyone.”
On the list are graduation receptions, meetings, reunions, birthday and anniversary parties. “We currently have graduation receptions booked for 2021 and several for 2023,” said Julie. Depending on the size of the event, the entire building might not be needed. Quite often the west portion of the building is all that is used.” Because of the initial use of the building for the video cattle auctions, there are two large screens at both ends of the building for any uses rental parties might like. Beginning rental charges for meetings are $200. “We hosted 48 events here last year,” said Julie. “And this year promises to be a good one as well. If someone wants to host an event here, I’d encourage them to talk with us. We’d see if we can work something out.”
“Steve and I meet so many wonderful people that are so impressed with our facility,” said Julie. “If it is rented to less than 100 people, we tend to run the bar. If it is a larger party or receptions, we call on some extra bartenders. We are fortunate to have people willing to work for us, with flexible schedules.”
It is unknown for anyone, including the Dunkers, the impact The Red Shed might have on the entire community. “We know that it makes a difference for our motels,” said Julie, “and probably other businesses locally. We are fortunate that dad is allowing us to do this here. It is all we hoped for and even more. The response has been phenomenal.”
NOTE: This story was written prior to business closings and restrictions on gatherings. The Red Shed Event Center looks forward to eventually getting back to business as usual and serving their customers.
