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FAIRGROUNDS: We need assurance

CDA Press
07/10/2024

I am part of a longtime fair supporting family who’s participation has included entries in the fair, volunteering, working as staff and serving as a Fair board member. If you have a similar history you may have your own set of special fair memories. In order for the fairgrounds to move forward, improve our buildings, add more grandstand seating, and hopefully add a nice, new exhibition hall that has meeting rooms, air conditioning and good parking, we need an assurance that the fairgrounds will stay in its current location for a long period of time to justify the investment and gain support from contributors.

Perhaps you had the opportunity to drive by the fairgrounds during one of the last few weekends and saw that the grounds were very busy. We had folks from all over and it’s a safe bet those folks bought fuel, groceries, went to a restaurant, maybe stayed in a motel, all of which had an economic impact for our community. This happens nearly every weekend and part of why it works is the fairground’s location and closeness to amenities.

Fairs all across the country provide an avenue for agriculture, farmers and ranchers — to share their story, both the historical and the future, with their “city” neighbors, helping them appreciate where their food comes from. It also provides a place for youth who raise animals to display their animals and interact with the community. In a bigger picture, fairs provide an opportunity for communities to gather to embrace the “good” in their communities.