Grand Forks Fall Fair looking for a home.....still

By Mona Mattei

Back in the “old days” the Grand Forks Fall Fair had its own fairgrounds. Today, the fair is still held annually, in fact it is over 100-years-old, but since its heydays it has been a travelling fair moving around locations in the small community because the city took back the land that had been dedicated to the fair.

 

“What we have in use (for the Grand Forks Fall Fair) right now is not working,” said Les Brayden, president of the Grand Forks Fall Fair Society. “We just don’t have the room that we should have and the society feels that it is time that council stood up and did something that they should have done a long time ago for the fall fair association.”

 

Brayden said the fair is in need of a bigger space to host the annual event, and better yet, a permanent home. For the 2011 event, the society suggested use of land along 68 Ave. including Angus McDonald ball park to city council at their meeting on Jan. 31.

 

“The community will benefit from the larger area by showing more horticulture, agriculture and creative abilities of the people of this area. We can provide entertainment that people will want to come to see,” explained Brayden. “You’ve got to have something to attract the people and that’s what we want to do.”

 

Brayden expressed concerns that the fair could permanently close if they do not take any action. Ultimately, the fair wants to develop parking, full fair grounds, grand stands, etc. in a more permanent home, one that was promised by past city councils. Brayden added that the society would certainly be interested in working with council to see what could be developed.

 

In reviewing the society’s request, Councillor Chris Moslin expressed concerns over using property that does not include full services like electricity and water.

 

“There’s not enough room for the events. I’m looking at the existing areas being used – just to west big field – could you not use that in conjunction with Dick Bartlett?” asked Moslin.

 

While Brayden said he would be happy to discuss options with council, his concerns are about the in-ground sprinklers on existing city property and the overwhelming load on volunteers as the fair sets up and takes everything down each year.

 

Councillors offered other ideas for a location including the possible use of the Pavilion on Sagamore  and the rodeo grounds up North Fork Road. Brayden said the Sagamore area is not large enough for the event and that the facilities at the rodeo grounds are insufficient, and in fact the Boundary Horse Association (BHA) would like to partner with the fair society in a new home that would give the BHA a bigger venue as well. Brayden said the fair could need as much as 20 acres.

 

Councillor Cher Wyers sits on the fair society’s board and agrees with Brayden that the extra work of setting up the fair has stressed volunteers.

 

“I do know where the volunteers in this community have stepped up to the plate at the last minute to set everything but because it is all put away and then tearing it all down again because they don’t have a permanent home,” said Wyers. “The volunteers for the fall fair have diminished because of the extra work that’s required. It’s a struggle.”

With the society still looking for a permanent home, Mayor Brian Taylor expressed his support to help with the search. Council received the delegation’s presentation.