Great Northern Fair board hires new fairgrounds manager

The Great Northern Fair Board selected Frank English as its new fairgrounds manager during its monthly meeting Tuesday at the Community Center at the fairgrounds.

“The board chose him because of his handyman experience and his ability to make the required repairs around the grounds,” Fair Board Chair Tyler Smith said.

The Great Northern Fair Board hasn’t had a Fair Manager since March 2018 and ran the fair last year using all volunteers, including members of the board.

The board had approved hiring English previously as an independent contractor, but the state Department of Labor informed the board that, as the position was described, it could not be contracted in that way.

The board re-opened applications for the position as a county employee.

English’s duties include coordinating the fairgrounds, helping people who use the fairgrounds and what work is needed to maintain and use the grounds. English will serve a probationary period before transitioning into being a permanent employee.

Come fair time, the fairgrounds will receive Wi-Fi. The board discussed of having the internet being password protected and is expected to change every year.

“Getting internet on the fairgrounds is a very big deal and maybe a little overdue,” Smith said.

Great Northern Fair will run Wednesday, July 17, through Sunday, July 21, and open class entries and 4-H activities will start earlier in the week. In open class, community members enter anything from culinary arts, home arts, arts and crafts, floral, sewing items, and more for judging. The entries are all homemade.

“It’s pretty neat. If you get a chance I encourage you to swing up and check it out fair week,” fair board member Bobbie Dolphay said.

An event is scheduled for this week at the fairgrounds as well. Scott Jackson Dog Training will be taking place on the Great Northern Fairgrounds midway this weekend starting at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at noon on Sunday. People can contact Alissa Hewitt with any questions at 357-3316.

The next Great Northern Fair Board meeting will be held Tuesday, July 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds Community Center.