Its that time of year again when the fair board puts on their dog and pony show. They will lose money as always with beer leading the way. You’d think by now someone in law enforcement would look into this magpie of smoke and mirrors.
Just how dumb to these (board members) think the public really is? While I wish Mr. Green every success it’s just not going to happen. It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than a pig scramble to bring this pigsty back to monetary reality. No one will accomplish that until the entire fair board throws themselves onto the sword for the good of the community. The resignations cannot be selective they must be in concert; they should all go to Calmas Creek, line up, hold hands and jump in.
Mr. Green might think he can walk on water but it ain’t going to happen. I glanced at the line up scheduled, and I can tell you right now no due diligence was done; I had the misfortune to eat at the mentioned supper club in Northwood once; the operative word being “once”, never twice. I ordered prime rib, I thought it would be safe because it is the tenderest cut of beef you can get. When my order arrived I couldn’t cut it….at first I thought it was a trick, but after several attempts to penetrate it I finally gave up. The waitress asked if I wanted to take it home, but I declined; I told her I lacked the necessary power tools to take it apart.
I also see there will be no “midway” which is the heart of a fair; Green said there wasn’t enough time….hello, they had a year, how much time do you need? There will be a place however to buy the beer I’ll bet. How else can you charge $3.00 a can for something that cost 80 cents and still lose money. Do they count the money in the dark? Is that how it works? After all these years of dismal failure on that pricy piece of land, why don’t they stop the charade…..I for one am sick of it. And one more thing; where is the “county attorney” in all of this? He works for the “county”, is he the least bit suspicious, enough to put together a fact finding commission….oh I forgot, we already have that; they’re called “county supervisors.” If you are impressed with this fair then vote them back in, if not…change who sits in those seats.
Peter Children
The only county fair in the area that is any good any more is in Hampton (Franklin Co.)They seem to have many events to go and see.The fair in Mason City hasn’t been very good since the Fair manager Stan Zirbel days sorry to say.We need to go back to what worked and get are heads out of are a**.We don’t have alot for young families to do and we can’t even get a good fair together.Ideas could be like bands play in grandstands,tractor pulls,car and motorcycle shows,roller derby,fireworks,motor cross,snowmobiles on grass races,bmx stunt shows,chainsaw art,rodeo,semi races they just need to pick a few and run with it.There doesn’t have to be carnival.
i love Hampton fair
I know it is not the fair that it was when I was growing up but my grand boys are excited to go! They have things that are going to be judged and they have been waiting all year. My one grandchild has been working on a quilt for over a year and is so proud of it. The other can’t wait to have his pictured judged. Like I said it may not be what it once was but I am going to make the best of it for the kids and really that is what a fair is about the kids.
I am going to the fair no matter what. I will spend a few bucks on something just to supportive.
We all want it to be better and we have to start somewhere.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we just all showed up and made some fun out of it anyway.
Trucker Dave you are right not to hitch your wagon to Evens United. There equipment is run down and they are not the kind of people I would do business with anyway. Why Clear Lake don’t shop for another show is beyond me. Inside knowledge here.
The fair will not get a “good” mid-way unless a miraculous vacancy appears in their schedule. While I’m not confident Evans United is the best mid-way attraction, I don’t have a name of a suitable replacement.
Good luck, Mr. Green.
Good luck, 4-H food stand.
And most important, good luck to the youth who have been working hard at their 4-H and FFA projects. I recall with fondness my fair days a (few) decades ago. Grand memories, life-long friendships and good, wholesome fun. I pray the N IA Fair can do the same for the kids this year.
Just took a look at the schedule for the fair…sad. Nothing on that schedule is worth my time and I’m sure I’m not alone in my feelings.
I could rebuild the North Iowa Fair with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back.
The Fair Board would have to re-write the by-laws so no North Iowa Fair Board Member could micro-manage any part of the operation.
The by-laws would also exclude any North Iowa Fair Board Member from doing business or receive any kind of remuneration from activities at the Fair Grounds.
Understand getting a good Midway is not all that easy as they have a sizable investment in equipment and it takes a minimum amount of people attending the fair to warrant them booking us in.
To re-build the North Iowa Fair it will take several years to locate a decent Midway and adjust the fair dates to coincide with the Midways schedule and then work diligently for a date when the weather is cooler.
This is where is must begin to rebuild the North Iowa Fair!