Fair Board Leans More On Racing Than Music
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dan [email protected]
While the fair has not exactly drawn big-name performers, the bands in recent years have not attracted sufficient crowds and have lost money for the fair, said Fair Board President Randy Shepherd.
“We were losing thousands of dollars every year,” Shepherd said. “Even the sponsorships from the community and the businesses wasn’t paying for it and we were losing anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 every concert we put on.”
“Financially, it’s a business decision we cannot do,” he said.
So in an effort to staunch the bleeding and reverse the financial trend, the fair has reverted to a tried and true entertainment source — motorized racing.
The fair tried a race last year, but officials realized it was too small to accommodate the race.
Since then, the track has been revamped to a one-eighth mile size with the help of community donations and sponsorships.
The track is now known as Warsaw Motor Sports Complex.
One of several races this summer begins Wednesday night with the Roy Bradbury Classic featuring Micro 600 Sprints. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Start time is 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $6 for children 6 to 12, and free for kids 5 and under. Pit passes also are available for $15.
On Aug. 12, racing returns with more micro sprints.
Also planned this summer is drag racing on Aug. 19 and a tractor pull on Aug. 20.
Three or four more races are planned for next year, Shepherd said.
“We have to look at what is going to carry itself or help generate some funds and that’s why we went with the Warsaw Motor Sports Complex,” Shepherd said. “If it’s got a motor on it, people come.”
“It’s what we need to keep the doors open,” he said.
Upcoming fair events
Tonight’s fair highlights include the Broken Horn IPRA World Championship Rodeo, which starts at 7:30 p.m. in the grandstands.
The midway opens at 6 p.m. tonight.
On Tuesday, carnival rides begin at 2 p.m. and the Kiddies Day Special offers children $1 rides, but there is a height restriction.
Also on Tuesday: The Flying Pages Aerial Show at the Shrine Parking Lot will be at 2, 4 and 7 p.m.
The Blaszaks Royal Bengal Show is set for 3 and 6 p.m. in the commercial tent area.
The Monster Truck Bash – no admission – starts at 7:30 p.m. in the grandstand.
The weather forecast for fair week looks a bit dicey.
Tonight will be clear with a low of 67, but Tuesday’s high is expected to be near 90 and there is a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms Tuesday night, the National Weather Forecast predicts.
There is also a 50 percent chance of stormy weather Wednesday and Thursday. The high Wednesday is expected to be around 88, and Thursday’s high will be about 83.
Thursday night is expected to be clear. Friday is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 79, the weather service said.
The fair continues through Saturday.
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While the fair has not exactly drawn big-name performers, the bands in recent years have not attracted sufficient crowds and have lost money for the fair, said Fair Board President Randy Shepherd.
“We were losing thousands of dollars every year,” Shepherd said. “Even the sponsorships from the community and the businesses wasn’t paying for it and we were losing anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 every concert we put on.”
“Financially, it’s a business decision we cannot do,” he said.
So in an effort to staunch the bleeding and reverse the financial trend, the fair has reverted to a tried and true entertainment source — motorized racing.
The fair tried a race last year, but officials realized it was too small to accommodate the race.
Since then, the track has been revamped to a one-eighth mile size with the help of community donations and sponsorships.
The track is now known as Warsaw Motor Sports Complex.
One of several races this summer begins Wednesday night with the Roy Bradbury Classic featuring Micro 600 Sprints. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Start time is 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $6 for children 6 to 12, and free for kids 5 and under. Pit passes also are available for $15.
On Aug. 12, racing returns with more micro sprints.
Also planned this summer is drag racing on Aug. 19 and a tractor pull on Aug. 20.
Three or four more races are planned for next year, Shepherd said.
“We have to look at what is going to carry itself or help generate some funds and that’s why we went with the Warsaw Motor Sports Complex,” Shepherd said. “If it’s got a motor on it, people come.”
“It’s what we need to keep the doors open,” he said.
Upcoming fair events
Tonight’s fair highlights include the Broken Horn IPRA World Championship Rodeo, which starts at 7:30 p.m. in the grandstands.
The midway opens at 6 p.m. tonight.
On Tuesday, carnival rides begin at 2 p.m. and the Kiddies Day Special offers children $1 rides, but there is a height restriction.
Also on Tuesday: The Flying Pages Aerial Show at the Shrine Parking Lot will be at 2, 4 and 7 p.m.
The Blaszaks Royal Bengal Show is set for 3 and 6 p.m. in the commercial tent area.
The Monster Truck Bash – no admission – starts at 7:30 p.m. in the grandstand.
The weather forecast for fair week looks a bit dicey.
Tonight will be clear with a low of 67, but Tuesday’s high is expected to be near 90 and there is a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms Tuesday night, the National Weather Forecast predicts.
There is also a 50 percent chance of stormy weather Wednesday and Thursday. The high Wednesday is expected to be around 88, and Thursday’s high will be about 83.
Thursday night is expected to be clear. Friday is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 79, the weather service said.
The fair continues through Saturday.
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