Beltrami Electric Cooperative members gathered Wednesday, August 12, at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds for the cooperative’s 86th annual meeting, followed by an evening of family fun during Beltrami Electric’s Night at the Fair.

The annual meeting, held at the Shutter Stage, provided members with updates on the cooperative’s finances, operations and community impact. Director of Finance and Corporate Services Arlene Hogquist presented a financial overview, while President and CEO Jared Echternach shared an update on the cooperative’s work and priorities for the past year and the year ahead.

Kay Mack, chair of the Beltrami Electric Cooperative Trust Board, highlighted the impact of the cooperative’s Operation Round Up program, which provides grants to local organizations and individuals through voluntary member contributions.

Members also heard from 2026 Youth Tour Delegate Jacobi Burmeister Pater, who shared highlights from her trip to Washington, D.C., where she met young leaders from across the country and learned more about government, leadership and the cooperative movement.

Members elected three directors to the Beltrami Electric Cooperative Board. Election results were:

• District 2: Incumbent Donald “Charlie” Perkins ran unopposed and received 1,625 votes.
• District 4: Incumbent Craig Gaasvig ran unopposed and received 1,583 votes.
• District 6: Mike Monsrud received 630 votes, while incumbent Rick Coe received 1,179 votes.

Following the annual meeting, more than 2,400 members and guests attended Beltrami Electric’s Night at the Fair. Fairgoers enjoyed a free grandstand concert featuring The Waddington Brothers, along with activities for all ages.

Children visited with Touchstone Energy’s mascot, LED Lucy, picked prizes from the duck pond and had the opportunity to ride in the bucket of a Beltrami Electric line truck for a bird’s-eye view of the fairgrounds.

Electrical safety was also a focus of the evening. A live high-voltage safety demonstration drew a large crowd and provided a dramatic reminder of the dangers of electricity and the importance of staying safe around power lines and electrical equipment.

The annual meeting and Night at the Fair provided members with an opportunity to learn more about their cooperative, connect with employees and fellow members, and celebrate the communities Beltrami Electric serves.