State Fair (Harrison: credit, neighborhood, gated)

[Tinman313]

State Fair

Tennessee State Fair - General Information - Maps & Directions

[46Barb]

Thanks. I didn't realize it was coming up so soon.

[rossc]

We went yesterday and thought it was a a bit lame. Vendors were saying that business and attendance is way off for opening weekend. Cops said that crowds were not as thick as expected. There seemed to be lots of empty vendor space. We used to do fairs and shows with our business, so we pay attention to things like that.

[marmac]

Originally Posted by rossc

We went yesterday and thought it was a a bit lame. Vendors were saying that business and attendance is way off for opening weekend. Cops said that crowds were not as thick as expected. There seemed to be lots of empty vendor space. We used to do fairs and shows with our business, so we pay attention to things like that.

attendance way off?

why was that ?

Here in Minnesota they just announced the final attendance for the Minnersota State Fair and it broke the all time record set in 2001.

It ran for 12 days, ended on Labor Day and attendance was------1,790,497--

[rossc]

No idea. just relaying what I was told by the vendors who do the fair every year. One said that they just did a fair in Nebraska and did great. It's going on all week, so it may get better.

[GrnMtnFire]

Originally Posted by rossc

We went yesterday and thought it was a a bit lame. Vendors were saying that business and attendance is way off for opening weekend. Cops said that crowds were not as thick as expected. There seemed to be lots of empty vendor space. We used to do fairs and shows with our business, so we pay attention to things like that.

I can agree with that.

[IngleDave]

I haven't been in years, but I would guess that the 505,000 folks that just attended the Wilson County Fair and the 150,000 or so in Williamson County...maybe people are just "faired out." Those factors, and the fact that the State Fair draws a more city center demographic, and the fact that there's way plenty else to do with one's time, it only makes sense that the state fair just isn't what it used to be.

[yank283]

Mayor Dean also mentioned this is the last year that the fair will be held in the current fairgrounds. That's prime property and to keep it gated up only to use for a state fair once a year and weekly flea markets is kind of lame. There is the race track but I have a feeling the newer residents that are moving into the neighborhood around it want that to go away and will lobby for that to happen until it's done (whether right or wrong and the dwindling attendence at the track probably isn't helping).

[sek1986]

I hadn't thought of that. If they took away the fairgrounds and racetrack and made it residential, or even brought in businesses, the value of that area would skyrocket. it's close to berry hill, belmont, and downtown. Hopefully that would perk up that side of Thompson Lane. Right now it's just a bunch of run-down auto places and buildings that no one knows if they're in business or not. I work in that area and it would be great if they could spruce it up some.

[leeds42us]

Well, I guess many, or I hope most of you, have seen or heard about
the TV4 story about this being the last year of the State Fair.

While not denying that *something* is up with the Fairgrounds, it
seems that there is a good bit of confusion about what TV4 reported.

We contacted TV4 and were told that there was no press release or any
such announcement, that they called the Mayor's office, and were given
the information in the report, that Mayor Karl "The Grinch" Dean had
decided to end the State Fair after only 100 or so years of operation.

We contacted the Mayor's office and were told that hizzonor never said
any such thing, that TV4 was giving the wrong impression to the
public. His press secretary admitted talking to TV4 but only said
"uncertain" when describing the future of the State Fair.

We contacted the Fairgrounds office and a representative there told us
that TV4 was completely wrong, and besides, under law the Mayor does
not have the authority to end the fair or sell the Fairgrounds either
one (which is TRUE, but rarely admitted by any of the guilty parties
in Metro Government). They defended the short clip of Buck Dozier by
pointing out that he only admitted to "uncertain" during the interview
as well (also TRUE).

All three offices admitted that their phones had been ringing off the
hook with the public calling about the TV4 report, decrying the very
idea of killing the Fair and selling the Fairgrounds.

We noticed also that TV4 has pulled the report from both its
"headlines" and "community news" sections of it's website, although it
can still be found under "popular videos."

While there is a lot more I could say about this right now, let me
just leave it at this: NOW is the time to stand up and tell "The
Grinch" that he cannot steal YOUR Fair and/or Fairgrounds!

When left alone by Metro, the Fairgounds actually turns a profit, so
there is no financial consideration here-- besides, again under the
law, Metro is not supposed to share in the Fairgrounds income-- it is
supposed to stay with the Fairgrounds, so why should the Mayor even be
concerned with *how* much money it makes?

It's a downright shame that with the folks at the Fairgrounds office
doing such a good job this year (yes, give credit where it's due--
it's a great Fair and the best one in many years)-- that somone
decided to put a damper on it right now in the middle of the event.
It's almost like someone was *trying* to discourage attendance!

In any event, the thing to do now is to contact the Mayor, Metro
Council, Fair Board, etc. and let them know that, to paraphrase the
late Charleton Heston, the only way they will get/end the Fair and the
Fairgrounds is when they "pry it from my dead, cold fingers!"

Flood their emails! Fill up their mailboxes! Overload the phone lines!
Max out their voicemails! -- and if you can catch one of them in
person, give them a little (or BIG!) piece of your mind!

Don't let the grinch steal your Fair or your Fairgrounds!

Here's how you can get started:

Karl Dean
mayor@nashville.gov

Mayor Karl Dean
100 Metro Courthouse
Nashville, TN 37201

Vice Mayor and President
Diane Neighbors
diane.neighbors@nashville.gov

METRO CODES, FAIR AND FARMERS MARKET COMMITTEE

Rip Ryman - Chair
rip.ryman@nashville.gov

Carl Burch
carl.burch@nashville.gov

Phil Claiborne
phil.claiborne@nashville.gov

Sam Coleman
sam.coleman@nashville.gov

Robert Duvall
robert.duvall@nashville.gov

Erica Gilmore
erica.gilmore@nashville.gov

Frank Harrison
frank.harrison@nashville.gov

Jim Hodge
jim.hodge@nashville.gov

Mike Jameson
mike.jameson@nashville.gov

Sandra Moore
sandra.moore@nashville.gov


Write the entire Metro Council at once with this link!
Nashville.gov - Metro Council Feedback Form


Fair Board Members
Mr. Alex Joyce - 4419 Chickering Lane; Nashville TN 37215
Ms. Katy Varney - 611 Commerce Street #2800; Nashville TN 37203
Charles Sueing - 201 Thompson Lane, Suite 105, Nashville TN 37211
Mr. James M. Weaver - 511 Union Street, #2700; Nashville TN 37219
Mr. Ned Horton- 2006 Ridley Blvd Nashville, TN 37203

Oh.. and if you've not been, you really should go out to the Fair. No
matter what you've heard about past State Fairs, this one is great.
Clean, lots of security, and a little something for everyone.
Besides-- when's the last time you had a corn dog??