Fair Board Digs In For Lawsuit, Focuses On Fundraising Events
January 15, 2019 at 5:46 p.m.
Fair Board Digs In For Lawsuit, Focuses On Fundraising Events
By Dan [email protected]
Those are two of several fundraising ideas and events Kosciusko County Fair Board discussed Monday as it tries to make up for lost revenues.
Board members met Monday night and are focusing on generating new income as they dig in for what appears to be a second year without motorized racing at the fairgrounds while a lawsuit brought by neighbors upset with the noise associated with the events moves forward.
The fairgrounds began limited racing about two years ago despite a decades-long agreement with neighbors that prohibited racing.
Officials cast the decision to revive racing as a crucial step needed to keep the fairgrounds financially solvent and have said they want to host more than a dozen races during the summer.
A mediation hearing held in December failed to reach any kind of compromise.
The lawsuit filed last year by a handful of neighbors led to a court injunction that halted motorized racing as the suit plays out in court.
Randy Shepherd, fair board member, offered a short update on the lawsuit Monday night.
“We’ll continue the fight as long as we can fight,” Shepherd said.
“We still have a very strong case and we’re going to move forward,” he said.
The lawsuit is more expansive than just an attempt to shut down racing and includes an attempt to also halt other events deemed to be excessively loud.
“Everyone thinks this is just about racing. It’s not just about racing. It’s the livelihood of the fairgrounds,” Shepherd said.
“The nuisance charge is going to be the one that keeps us from doing anything else on the fairgrounds,” he said.
A financial update for the fairgrounds was unavailable because the treasurer was unable to attend.
But much of the discussion at the meeting focused on the need to generate more revenue, in part to cover legal fees associated with the suit.
Board members reviewed new ideas for fundraising, firmed up plans for other events and urged everyone to develop other ideas.
A small group that is part of the Facebook group “We Want Another Warsaw Speedway” is organizing two events intended to provide proceeds to the fair board.
Those include a sock hop at the fairgrounds Shrine Building set for 6 p.m. Feb. 9, which is being organized by Sandy Atkins.
Tickets are $25 per couple, $15 per person and includes a meal. Root beer floats and beer will also be available.
Another event is a motorcycle ride with numerous musical bands, hailed as “Ride For Future of Our Kids and The Fairgrounds.” That is set for May 11. Elmer Schwartz and Donnie Holbrook are organizing it.
The event is similar to one held last summer and is making planning for the second one easier. “I’m getting a ton of feedback,” Schwartz said.
Other events that have been held in the past are also on the schedule. Those include:
• Test and Tune, a race car event, often viewed as a warm up, on April 27. The event will be limited, though, because of the lawsuit.
• A two-day barbecue and grilling event known as Barbecue A and B on May 10 and 11.
• A motorized sports show tentatively set for April 26 and 27.
• A Cinco De Mayo party will be May 4.
Other ideas being kicked around are an ice fishing contest, a cornhole tournament and goat yoga, which is a take-off from yoga events involving cats. For a better understanding, search those terms on YouTube.
The board began sketching out day-by-day plans for the 2019 4-H Fair, but one organizer said they plan to have less entertainment than in previous years in light of declining revenues.
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Those are two of several fundraising ideas and events Kosciusko County Fair Board discussed Monday as it tries to make up for lost revenues.
Board members met Monday night and are focusing on generating new income as they dig in for what appears to be a second year without motorized racing at the fairgrounds while a lawsuit brought by neighbors upset with the noise associated with the events moves forward.
The fairgrounds began limited racing about two years ago despite a decades-long agreement with neighbors that prohibited racing.
Officials cast the decision to revive racing as a crucial step needed to keep the fairgrounds financially solvent and have said they want to host more than a dozen races during the summer.
A mediation hearing held in December failed to reach any kind of compromise.
The lawsuit filed last year by a handful of neighbors led to a court injunction that halted motorized racing as the suit plays out in court.
Randy Shepherd, fair board member, offered a short update on the lawsuit Monday night.
“We’ll continue the fight as long as we can fight,” Shepherd said.
“We still have a very strong case and we’re going to move forward,” he said.
The lawsuit is more expansive than just an attempt to shut down racing and includes an attempt to also halt other events deemed to be excessively loud.
“Everyone thinks this is just about racing. It’s not just about racing. It’s the livelihood of the fairgrounds,” Shepherd said.
“The nuisance charge is going to be the one that keeps us from doing anything else on the fairgrounds,” he said.
A financial update for the fairgrounds was unavailable because the treasurer was unable to attend.
But much of the discussion at the meeting focused on the need to generate more revenue, in part to cover legal fees associated with the suit.
Board members reviewed new ideas for fundraising, firmed up plans for other events and urged everyone to develop other ideas.
A small group that is part of the Facebook group “We Want Another Warsaw Speedway” is organizing two events intended to provide proceeds to the fair board.
Those include a sock hop at the fairgrounds Shrine Building set for 6 p.m. Feb. 9, which is being organized by Sandy Atkins.
Tickets are $25 per couple, $15 per person and includes a meal. Root beer floats and beer will also be available.
Another event is a motorcycle ride with numerous musical bands, hailed as “Ride For Future of Our Kids and The Fairgrounds.” That is set for May 11. Elmer Schwartz and Donnie Holbrook are organizing it.
The event is similar to one held last summer and is making planning for the second one easier. “I’m getting a ton of feedback,” Schwartz said.
Other events that have been held in the past are also on the schedule. Those include:
• Test and Tune, a race car event, often viewed as a warm up, on April 27. The event will be limited, though, because of the lawsuit.
• A two-day barbecue and grilling event known as Barbecue A and B on May 10 and 11.
• A motorized sports show tentatively set for April 26 and 27.
• A Cinco De Mayo party will be May 4.
Other ideas being kicked around are an ice fishing contest, a cornhole tournament and goat yoga, which is a take-off from yoga events involving cats. For a better understanding, search those terms on YouTube.
The board began sketching out day-by-day plans for the 2019 4-H Fair, but one organizer said they plan to have less entertainment than in previous years in light of declining revenues.
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