The Washington County Fair Board met tonight at the fairgrounds to discuss a new carnival company, dates and events coming up from June 14th through the 21st.
The Little Miss and Master Contest will not be held this year.
The annual fair parade will kick off at 1:30p on Sunday.
Monday and Tuesday will feature a rodeo.
The board is still working on Wednesday night’s events.
Thursday and Friday will feature racing at the dirt track and the Demo Derby will be Saturday evening.
Prices and times for the grandstand events have not yet been set.
Free Events for the week will include these acts at the Top of the Hill:
- Monday – Greg Rhodes
- Tuesday – Classic Country
- Wednesday – Southern Indiana Cloggers and Warriors for Christ
- Thursday – Salem High School Guitar Club and Lysergic
- Friday – Frank Ruff
- Saturday – Sparkles and Spurs, Dan Mullins and Greg McCurdy
Ticket prices for the carnival rides will be $3 per ticket or 10 for $28, 28 for $52 or three-day ride bracelets for $45.
“There will be more rides and bigger rides this year,” said Fair Board President Rose Anderson. “Fun Time Carnival will have concession stands and games and more rides…Crazy Dance, Star Trooper, Roundup, Sizzler, Swinger, Ferris Wheel, Merry Go Round, two dragon coasters and slides plus others.”
Anderson also said she is working to secure new bleachers for the Show Arena in the Livestock Barn. Quotes ranged from $47,000 to $60,000 but she has a quote from another company with local ties for $29,000 per side.
She said they have submitted an application to the Washington County Community Foundation to be considered for a grant from the organization’s spring round of giving.
Anderson said they wouldn’t know until May. “Whenever they award their spring grants we will know something,” Ashe said. “Until then, we don’t have the money…Don’t have $30,000 to do one side. I did ask from the associations and have gotten some money from them. We don’t want to ask individuals because we don’t’ want to return the money.”
OTHER BUSINESS
TREASURER’S REPORT Kevin Stewart presented the treasurer’s report. The fair board had almost $15,000 in expenses from January 1 through April 6; including a $1300 water bill. Someone asked why it was high and Stewart responded, “We’ve been asking that for 35 years. We think there is a leak under the 4H building. The city is working on that now….they found some toilets running and things.”
The board took in $51,025 in this first quarter and has an ending balance of $87,695.27.
He said the actual balance was 38,420.27, after consideration for some donations that will pay for judges at the fair and for the Lonestar Rodeo.
Stewart said it takes approximately $47,000 to operate the fair each year.
FOOD VENDORS. The board is looking for food vendors for this year’s fair. Applications have been sent out but there is room for additional applicants.
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GOAT BARN. There will be some work done on the goat barn this weekend and anyone who would like to help can show up on Saturday morning or contact the fair board.
SECURITY SYSTEM. Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller — Deni was trying to get a grant to update the video surveillance system at the fairgrounds. Miller said the grant was not received. He said he is exploring other sources to cover the costs. Miller said the project would likely be done in phases. “We would like to add cameras to all the buildings and we hppe to get one phase before the fair. Try to do it in 3-4 phases.”
FIRE MARSHALLS REPORT. Anderson began the meeting by stating that the meeting was about fair board business and that anything to do with the county commissioners would not be discussed. A 4Her said she has seen comments on social media and wanted to know how to respond or send people for answers. Steward said everything the [fire marshall] “gave us has been done. Any issues now are in the commissioners hands.”
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