HomeMy WebLinkAbout*Other - FairgroundsThursday, May 21, 2020
To: Board of County Commissioners
Re: Consent to eliminate entry fees for the 2020 Grant County Fair
Grant County Fairgrounds
3953 AiiAvay Dr NF,
Moses Lake WA 98837-1029
(509) 765-3581 Far: (509) 7GG-7940
www.gcfaitgrottnds.com
grantcountyfajMrounds(&co.stranl.wa.us
As we realize the impacts that the Health District will be imposing on the Fair with the eliminate of the
Carnival and large concerts there will need to be significant changes for this year's Fair. Eliminating two
big draws to the Fair will significantly reduce attendance. By my estimation as much as 50%. Other areas
will be reduced as well with the Livestock Committee's decision to allow only one animal per youth.
With this in mind I would like to request that we not charge for entry to the 2020 Grant County Fair.
r your consideration
C
erely,
McKiernan, Director
20—
Dated this _______—
day of °
Board of County Commissioners
Grant County, Washington
Disapprove Abstain
Appr°ve—.-----
Dist # I _ ______LDist
Dist #1
Dist #2 Dist # 2 ______
Dist #3
Dist # 3 _
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DECEIVED
11AY 2 1 2020
GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Grant County Fair Cancelled for 2020
Grant County Fairgrounds
3953 Airway hr NE
Moses Lake WA 98537-1029
(509) 765-3581
www.xcfair�Yrou nds.Crnn
gran tcotintyfairgroiuidsCgra a tcou n tywa.gov
Submitted by Jim McKiernan, 509-237-2672
Other potential references or comments: Sara Smith, WSU Extension Agent, 509-760-6946
(Cell)
The 2020 Grant County Fair, which was expecting 100,000 people over five days, has been cancelled
according to Fair Director Jim McKiernan. "We put quite a bit of planning into this year's Fair and had
some great entertainment lined up," said McKiernan. "But the regulations for reopening and the Health
District requirements made the Fair financially unfeasible," he added. The Fair typically is a break-even
proposition and has slowly moved to paying for itself with the potential for revenue to be slightly more
than expenses. The Fairgrounds was notified recently that the Health District saw no way that the
Carnival could safely be part of Fair this year.
"We have been on constant conference calls with other Fairs, our livestock Committee, the WSU
Extension office, staff and the County Commissioners. Many other Fairs look to the Grant County Fair as
an example of a true Ag -based Fair and applauded our efforts to move forward despite overwhelming
odds," said McKiernan. "But it became obvious late last week with the Health Districts notice that the
State may not even move to Phase 4 until after Summer, there was no way we could manage the crowds
expected and still adhere to the social distancing rules." McKiernan went on to say the large concerts
planned were also to be held in a festival seating venue with no way to manage social distancing, further
causing additional cancellations.
The Fair staff and Livestock Committee are still working to plan some type of showing and Judging for
youth who have purchased animals. "We are one of the largest livestock auctions in the State,
McKiernan touted. "We need to do something to help these kids get their livestock projects completed
and the animals sold."
Details of the potential showing and auction will be sent out through the Fairgrounds Facebook page
and website once the plan is finalized.
The Fairgrounds staff will be processing reimbursements for Carnival wristbands, Vendor payments and
Fair Camping over the next few weeks. The Parking and open registration for camping will be delayed
until a plan is finalized for the youth livestock judging and auction. Emails will be sent out soon regarding
camping reimbursements to confirm cancellation to those who have already registered. Watch
gcfairgrounds.com for more details.
DECEIVED
2 7 2020
GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS