As this iconic venue comes to a close, here are five things to know about some of Hara’s history.
1. Hara is a family-owned venue, which is rare among exhibition centers. The Wampler family has worked with VenuWorks, a national venue managements company, to try to change Hara's ownership to a public-private ownership structure in an effort to lighten Hara's financial burdens and set the venue on a sustainable path.
2. The Rolling Stones performed their first Dayton concert at Hara, and "it was horrible." Less than a thousand seats were occupied for the band's performance. The venue offers 6,000 seats.
3. Hara has been home to Hamvention, one of the world's largest amateur radio conventions and Hara's largest event, since 1964. In May 2016, Hara hosted the 65th annual gathering of amateur radio practitioners. An estimated 25,000 attendees and vendors from around the United States and 60 other nations participated in the three-day long event.
4. The site has been honored with visits from the President of the United States twice. President George W. Bush visited the Miami Valley with stops at Hara in May and October 2004.
5. Hara played an integral role in developing sports, like hockey from youth leagues to professional teams in the Miami Valley. Last season, the Berkshire Battalion team in North Adams, Mass., relocated to Dayton, to Hara Arena and became the Dayton Demolition. The Demolition's roster included former Dayton Demonz players, like Brett Wall, a Dayton native.
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