Fair Board begins organizing this year's county fair

By P.J. GLISSON

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Ironwood — Members of the Gogebic County Fair Board began Monday evening to work toward a confirmed county fair for 2024.

The action was the result of a vote last week by the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners to approve the Fair Board’s proposal to hold this year’s fair at the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center in Ironwood. The county board also allotted its standard $17,500 toward fair expenses.

Official approval by Civic Center officials awaits, but Fair Board member Linda Nelson said they so far have expressed enthusiasm for the idea.

The timing of the fair traditionally is in the second four-day weekend of August, which falls from Aug. 8-11 in 2024.

Nelson suggested the possibility of reducing the run to three days this year, with Friday including registration. However, County 4-H Coordinator Ashley Dennis asked that Thursday be preserved for registration. Nevertheless, Nelson added that actual fair activities should be reserved for Friday through Sunday.

Although nothing is yet official, Nelson said she envisioned a smaller fair format that will include a carnival, traditional exhibits, and local musicians.

Fair Board members, along with Dennis, agreed that a number of components will need to be addressed in preparation for the fair. Those issues include tent rentals, a water source for animals housed outside, generator power, how and where to hold the livestock auction, and general supervision and clean-up of animals.

Nelson said anyone bringing animals to the fair will need to report that commitment in advance, rather than just bringing the animals to the fair on registration day.

Another concern was whether enough parking would be available at the site. Fair Board Chairman James Byrns said that, if needed, a shuttle service could be arranged to transport people between the fairground parking lot and the Civic Center.

In related news, Fair Board Member James Lorenson said it was important to be mindful of the budget.

County Administrator Juliane Giackino said that the Fair Board’s fund balance on that day was $38,582.

Fair Board members voted unanimously, with Shelley Suckow absent, to commit $5,000 of those funds to fairground improvements.

Lorenson and Giackino reminded that coverage for the Fair Board’s routine, monthly expenses also must be preserved.

Giackino also brought up the impact of fair gate admissions, which Fair Board members have debated dropping this year because the Civic Center land is not fenced.

“That’s your biggest portion of your earnings,” said Giackino regarding admission fees.

“I think we should charge something,” said Board Member Melinda Kostak, adding that they need to figure it out. Fair Board member Thomas Hampston agreed.

The Fair Board is still waiting from the Civic Center Board regarding its official authorization.

As a possible back-up, Nelson said that Marc Behrendt, president of the Aurora Club in Ironwood, is open to that site as an alternative.

“I think we’ll just have to wait and take a look at everything,” said Byrns.

Board members also:

—Learned from Giackino that former Fair Coordinator Marlene Saari is willing to donate time to prepare letters of request for potential fair sponsors as long as she can have access to the fair office computer. Giackino said that will not be a problem.

—Learned from Byrns that someone had broken into the exposition building that day. “Any chance of getting security cameras in here?” asked Hampston. Byrns said the county board will look into it.

—Learned from Lorenson that the county has submitted an application for a state grant that, if awarded, could help to fund upgraded roadways throughout the fairgrounds.

The Fair Board’s next regular meeting will be on April 1 at 6 p.m. in the office of the fairgrounds’ multipurpose building.