Kosciusko County Community Fair Back On 'Track'
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dan [email protected]
Is the county fair back on track?
Looks like it.
Kosciusko County Community Fair Board President Randy Shepherd said this morning that last week’s community fair went well and points to an new emphasis on motorized sports events as part of the reason.
Despite spotty showers and storms Tuesday and Wednesday, which hurt events at the grandstand, Shepherd said turnout for the demolition derby and sprint races were good.
“Rain and threatening weather hurt us a little bit on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, but overall, it was a good fair,” Shepherd said.
This year, the fair board chose not to have a marquee musical act and instead is focus more on motorized events at the newly renamed and refurbished Warsaw Motor Sports Complex.
Recent attempts to promote and host musical acts were money losers, Shepherd said.
The monster truck show turned out to be a success with almost 3,000 people in the stands. He said it could have been stronger if not for threatening weather.
On Wednesday, miro sprint races attracted 86 entries and drew a good crowd, but officials were unable to run the feature event because of inclement weather. More than 2,200 people attended the event and the pit area was full, Shepherd said.
“It was very good event for us. The community welcomed it back and it’s something the community has wanted for a long time,” he said.
The fairgrounds agreed 25 years ago to cease weekly racing at the fairgrounds because of concerns over noise.
The fair board is in the midst of increasing the number of motorized events and has two events next month.
Shepherd said he didn’t receive any complaints about the noise and pointed out the micro sprints produce less noise than a concert.
That race will be completed at a similar sprint race set for Aug. 12 at the fairgrounds, Shepherd said.
Drivers were invited to return and participate in the feature event at an upcoming August race, but fans will not receive a pass for that event.
Those who had tickets to Wednesday’s event will be admitted to the August event, Shepherd said.
He said total attendance for the fair was between 32,000 and 34,000 this year.
“This year, we’re happy and think we’re on the right track to start digging out,” Shepherd said. “We had a very profitable fair this year. I’m very happy with the outcome of the fair this year.”
The fairgrounds is privately owned and the board rarely if ever divulges financial details.
He declined to say how much debt the fairgrounds has, but said they carry some each year.
The fair board is also working to become more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This year, handicapped-accessible bathrooms were added in the Home and Family Arts building and added handicapped-accessible portable toilets, he said.[[In-content Ad]]
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Is the county fair back on track?
Looks like it.
Kosciusko County Community Fair Board President Randy Shepherd said this morning that last week’s community fair went well and points to an new emphasis on motorized sports events as part of the reason.
Despite spotty showers and storms Tuesday and Wednesday, which hurt events at the grandstand, Shepherd said turnout for the demolition derby and sprint races were good.
“Rain and threatening weather hurt us a little bit on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, but overall, it was a good fair,” Shepherd said.
This year, the fair board chose not to have a marquee musical act and instead is focus more on motorized events at the newly renamed and refurbished Warsaw Motor Sports Complex.
Recent attempts to promote and host musical acts were money losers, Shepherd said.
The monster truck show turned out to be a success with almost 3,000 people in the stands. He said it could have been stronger if not for threatening weather.
On Wednesday, miro sprint races attracted 86 entries and drew a good crowd, but officials were unable to run the feature event because of inclement weather. More than 2,200 people attended the event and the pit area was full, Shepherd said.
“It was very good event for us. The community welcomed it back and it’s something the community has wanted for a long time,” he said.
The fairgrounds agreed 25 years ago to cease weekly racing at the fairgrounds because of concerns over noise.
The fair board is in the midst of increasing the number of motorized events and has two events next month.
Shepherd said he didn’t receive any complaints about the noise and pointed out the micro sprints produce less noise than a concert.
That race will be completed at a similar sprint race set for Aug. 12 at the fairgrounds, Shepherd said.
Drivers were invited to return and participate in the feature event at an upcoming August race, but fans will not receive a pass for that event.
Those who had tickets to Wednesday’s event will be admitted to the August event, Shepherd said.
He said total attendance for the fair was between 32,000 and 34,000 this year.
“This year, we’re happy and think we’re on the right track to start digging out,” Shepherd said. “We had a very profitable fair this year. I’m very happy with the outcome of the fair this year.”
The fairgrounds is privately owned and the board rarely if ever divulges financial details.
He declined to say how much debt the fairgrounds has, but said they carry some each year.
The fair board is also working to become more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This year, handicapped-accessible bathrooms were added in the Home and Family Arts building and added handicapped-accessible portable toilets, he said.[[In-content Ad]]
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