Hamilton County Fair (Cincinnati, Springfield, Green: high schools, maintenance, tax)

[Hartwell Girl]

I didnt make the suggestion about closing early, but I liked it. Not close the whole Fair down but just shut down the gates early...reported at meeting by someone that they thought some of the problems were from people who came in at the end of the Fair...not my words. And moving the Fair, what off a bus line so it is now not accessible to everyone who may want to go unless they have transportation? This Fair is located in the City of Cincinnati -is that the real problem?

As far as your "Measley County Fair" comment--my discussion is about over. I prefer to debate with someone if they care about the issue.

[boojangles]

I used the word measely not to denegrate the fair in any way - I have never missed the fair in my life and I love and truly do not want to see it move. I was merely referring to its physical size in respect to other fairs and events around the state, not its sentimental worth to people. However, given its current state, there is nothing else productive that the fair can accomplish on the land that it is on now, unfortunately. And to be honest with you, making sure people can access it from public transportation is a very minimal issue in comparison to simply finding a location that people will go to have fun and feel safe with their family. Because I'm telling you right now, the fair is losing a lot more from people who don't want to bring their families down than it ever will from people that may or may not come because there is a lack of public transportation.

And yes, the City has a lot to do with the problem.

[Hartwell Girl]

The amount of money it would take to buy new land, build new buildings from scratch could be done at this location. I feel very strongly about it being a year round venue for families to come for all kinds of events-ever been to Boone Countys Farmers market. I also think the money requested earlier this year should have been requested for improvements to the current site in my opinion.
And lack of public transportation is going to cut a lot of people off who otherwise might attend and "lagging attendance" has been a blame of the demise of the Fair in the past, so why do you feel that would be a minimal issue when locating a site.

[boojangles]

Im not quite sure what the improvements you are referring to are. The barns that hold the animals are in fairly good condition. Improvements to the grandstand would have to be made on the basis that they would actually be filled up, and not only for the demolition derby during that week. The fair does not have an adequate amount of money to put into an upgrade like this first of all and many would speculate if it would generate a return. I'm sure you're already aware that the fairgrounds are indeed used year-round, for numerous ethinic festivals and several demolition derbies, but these events simply to not generate enough money to finance the fair.
I'm perfectly aware that lagging attendence is the main reason for a loss of revenue. But we revisit the primary trigger for this decline - the violence. People have no qualms with the geographic location of the fair and would certainly be attending it if it was not so dangerous (I'm sorry if locals are "insulted" by this classification, but it is the truth). It really does come down to a business decision: will we allow the fair to just slowly die (and continue to lose money) or do we take advantage of a new opportunity by moving it to an "untapped" area? I'm pretty sure you would not lose money with the latter.

[Hartwell Girl]

Who's "we" mentioned?
As for the Fair grounds being used year round, I dont consider car storage or demo derbies events would draw much revenue. Dial up the notch a little to attract and encourage more festivals, outdoor concerts, a real riding arena the public and inner city kids to attend during CRC summer camps, etc...the options are endless if a definitive plan was in place that everyone was in support of. Weigh the pros and cons and COSTS of each plan...that should have been done 5 years ago but that doesnt mean time is out in my eyes. Yes, its a lot of hard work but I think its the only way to get people on the same page. Lay it all out.
As for the violence which keeps being mentioned, I dont know what to tell you. I have heard conflicting stories on what happened. I wasnt there and wouldnt try to assume anything..but it is he said, she said for me. I know my neighborhood is safe and I know Carthage residents were upset over comments about violence in the neighborhood.

[jak8]

One question- do all you people who talk about keeping the Fair in Carthage take your families there on Friday or Saturday night at about 10:30pm? DOUBT IT. I know a lot of the Fair board members and to think that the Director of Safety and Security has his guys where bullet proof vest is SAD. I am in FAVOR of moving the Fair to somewhere out in the COUNTRY where it should be. The attendance is not going to increase where the fair is currently located. I mean look at the stats over the past couple of years and i would like to know what you think this is because? Well I could take a pretty damn good educated guess and say its because people dont want their kids to be exposed to the violence. I grew up going to the fair and it needs to be moved. Its not safe at night for families. You should just put a sign on the gates and say criminals and gang members welcome because that is what is happening more and more. For the Fair Board members who support the move of the fair are only looking out for your families best interest so I would support the fair with the move and donate to this great cause!

[Hartwell Girl]

Excuse my being gone but my computer got hit by the storm this past monday...fried even with a power surge cord.
To answer your question jak8--most responsible parents I know and associate with dont have their kids out with them on a Friday or Saturday night at 10:30pm. Kids go to the Fair to see animals and other exhibits, not to watch loud bands and people drink.
You and bobjangels seem to only have logged on to address this one issue on this entire forum--interesting. And the Fair Board members are not looking out for my families best interest, that is my job, their job is to run a successful and safe event and gain some revenue to upkeep the property.

[boojangles]

It seems to me that Hartwell Girl really cannot get it through her head that the fair has not, cannot, and will not generate revenue in the current location that it is in regardless of what time of the year it is. Safety and security are the primary reasons a successful event cannot be put on each year. Even in the offseason, people don't want to store their cars or hold functions because they fear that their items will be stolen or they will be shot, despite the constant security that is in effect down there.

And where did that accusation about the fairboard not looking out for your families best interest come from? What a rediculous thing to say! The fairboard caters most to the younger crowd with rides, games, and shows while spending $12,000 on security to keep them safe. What a shallow thing to say. And another thing, if the locals in Carthage and Hartwell want to see the fair stay in its current location so much, why aren't they out trying to gather financial support from major contributors themselves? I guess it's always easier to point a finger at someone else's "shortcomings"?

[nightrider127]

Will someone please elaborate on this violence issue? We go to the fair every year and have never seen anything happen. And yes, we are there late at night and we make at least 2 visits to the fair every year.

[jlrosen]

there is no violence or security issue. people are just afraid for no real reason.

Nobody calls Hyde Park dangerous but it has had almost twice the number of serious crimes as Carthage or Hartwell. Oakley, three times as much. This year, there have been more car break ins in Deerfield Township than Carthage and Hartwell combined.