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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-21-2013 - Information Item 6-HINFORMATION ITEM - Attachment 6 - H d, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks &Recreation To: Orange County Assembly of Governments From: David Stancil, Director, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Date: November 13, 2013 Re: Potential Orange County Fair At the Board of Commissioners' goal- setting retreat for 2013, the possibility of an Orange County Fair was discussed. As outlined, a fair might serve as a community - building event to bring together residents from different parts of the county for fun, education, local foods and music, among other activities. In June of this year, the Board of Commissioners appointed a County Fair Working Group headed by Commissioners Mark Dorosin and Renee Price, Interim County Manager Michael Talbert and several department heads. Between July and November, this group worked to examine potential locations, timeframes, conceptual budget estimates and possible activities and amenities of a county fair. A community information session was held October 30 and attended by 32 persons, many representing organizations and groups with an interest in a fair or representing other types of events. Attached is a one -page summary "discussion starter" document that was provided at the meeting with general information about the basic concepts of a potential county fair and the proposed themes. A number of ideas and comments were received at this session, and through over 460 brief surveys online and at the info session. The Board of County Commissioners received the report from the Working Group on November 12 and also had a number of questions and ideas. The Working Group was asked to return with more detailed ideas, information and answers to questions posed at the Board's January 23 meeting. Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245 -2510 Fax: (919) 644 -3351 2 Some Initial Thoughts on a Possible Orange County Fair At their 2013 annual retreat, the Board of County Commissioners discussed the idea of developing an Orange County Fair. A county fair could provide an opportunity to celebrate the many unique historical, social, cultural and creative aspects of Orange County. In addition to an opportunity for all residents to connect together as a county, a fair can become an economic development resource that can draw visitors from across the region. The Board of Commissioners established a preliminary working group to conduct initial research into the feasibility, opportunity, and potential benefits and costs of a county fair. This preliminary group includes Commissioners Mark Dorosin and Renee Price, county staff from the parks and recreation, asset management, and economic development departments, as well as representatives from the Visitor's Bureau and the county extension service. The working group met several times over the summer, and will report back to the Board on November 12. The working group has made some initial progress, but no report to the Board could be complete without direct input from the community, including whether they'd like to have a fair, what a fair should look like, and the best and most practical ways to make our collective vision a reality. Which is why we are here tonight. Here are some specific ideas that have come out of the working group for discussion: For its initial run, the fair would last at least two days, Friday and Saturday. One goal is to encourage local schools to take field trips to the fair during the day on Friday. • The working group initially looked at holding the county fair in the fall, likely in late September. However, in the interest of possibly launching the fair sooner than Fall 2015, the working group also is considering the possibility of launching the fair in Spring 2015, ideally in late April. The working group looked at a number of possible sites, but consensus quickly emerged around the county -owned Blackwood Farm park site on NC 86 as the most viable location. Blackwood Farm was successfully used for the county's 250th anniversary celebration, is centrally located, easily accessible, and big enough to accommodate a fair. While the site will likely need some infrastructure improvements, many of those are already on the county's plan for development of the park. The working group suggested five primary Orange County themes to celebrate with the fair: 1) agriculture, local food and restaurants, 2) the arts and local artists, 3) Orange County's diverse history, 4) schools, education, and youth, and 5) live music. In addition, we hope to have some attractions for children, including traditional and non - traditional rides and games.