Fair board says 2019 Great Northern Fair had numbers about like 2018

The Great Northern Fair Board chair said Tuesday the 2019 fair went well, with hopes for increases in attendance next year.

Audience member Bob Kaul asked the fair board during the public comment section for a report on this summer’s fair. 

Board Chair Tyler Smith said this year’s fair was similar to last year’s fair, with numbers relatively unchanged.

He added that even on numbers regarding parking are almost identical.

He said if Blaine County moves its fair to later in the year — its fair board is considering holding its fair in August — it could increase attendance at the Great Northern Fair.

The Blaine County Fair was held this year the week of July 4, two weeks before the Great Northern fair.

“With Chinook changing their fair date I think that is going to make quite an impact to our fair, for the better,” Smith said.

Blaine County Fairground Manager Debbie Ramberg said this morning the Blaine County fair is planned to run Aug. 12-16.

He added that the Great Northern Fair would then be the first in the area with a demolition derby and the only fair in the area with a carnival, saying he found out Monday that Blaine County will not have one next year.

Ramberg said the Blaine County Fair Board does not have a carnival set for next year yet, but are still working on the 2020 lineup.

Great Northern Fair Board Vice President Chelby Gooch added that at this year’s fair saw more entries in Open Class exhibits, where people submit items ranging from crafts and cooking to items raised in the garden, than last year.

Gooch said the Great Northern Fair 2020 is tentatively scheduled for July 15 to July 19.

Fairgrounds Manager Frank English gave a report to the board on the work he had been doing around the fairgrounds.

He said he said has been doing repair upkeep projects such as on the cultivator and the water reel irrigation system, and has been doing some tree trimming and grass cutting.

Gooch said the main priority for English to be working on right now is to be taking care of the portable stage that is in front of the grandstands.

During committee reports, Gooch said events coming up on the fairgrounds include the college rodeo in the Bigger Better Barn on the fairgrounds this weekend.

The 19th Annual Legends for Lights Pheasant Jamboree, a fundraiser sponsored by the Northern Lights Athletic and Scholarship Foundation, will take place Oct. 10-13 and will use the Hill County 4-H Chuckwagon on the fairgrounds for events.

Nov. 9, Hill County 4-H Foundation will host the Rusted and Busted ’19 concert featuring Country Lips of Seattle and local bands Shotgun Betties and Plowed Under Band.

Smith said the fairgrounds campgrounds will be closed mid-October and the weather will dictate if an earlier date will be determined.

The next Great Northern Fair Board meeting will be 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the fair office on the Great Northern Fairgrounds.