Orange County NC Website
• Examininq Existinq Events and Partnerships <br /> - Consider how to coordinate or involve existing events? <br /> • Determining Management Structure <br /> Initial guidance on managing entity? <br /> • Financial and Operational Considerations <br /> Further financial analysis and infrastructure assessment needed <br /> • Other Info Needed by the Board? <br /> Final Thoughts — One approach <br /> • Use Report as Discussion Starter <br /> - Identify additional info needed <br /> • Visit Existing Fairs for Firsthand Experience <br /> - Schedule visits to selected county fairs this fall <br /> • Partnership Conversations <br /> - Develop process, begin conversations with possible partners. <br /> • Next Step <br /> - Work session this fall — after site visits, additional information gathered. <br /> When referring to the map on slide 3, Dave Stancil noted that there are clusters of activity in the far <br /> western and eastern portions of the state but not in this area. He noted that this was created by early <br /> transportation challenges with people in the far sides of the state being unable to transport livestock to the <br /> centrally located state fair. He said these events have now become an important part of these areas. <br /> He said this fair would likely be a 2015-16 project. <br /> Commissioner Price questioned who the target audience for this county fair would be. She noted <br /> that all of the other county events seem to have a specific target group. <br /> Commissioner McKee said it would be helpful to have a calendar to indicate not only the existing <br /> events, but also ball games and other events that might conflict. <br /> Dave Stancil said there is a listing on page 29, but it is not in a calendar format. <br /> Frank Clifton said the difficulty is that the calendar changes every year; so it was easier to put this <br /> information in a list format. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he sees that there is no noted financial impact at this point, but he will <br /> need figures before any in depth discussion. He said that, along with financial information, there needs to <br /> be a clear idea of what other county projects and programs may be affected by spending on this type of <br /> fair. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said this item is near to his heart and he would be happy to visit other fairs <br /> to do research. He said everyone he has talked to is excited about a county fair. He said that there may <br /> always be a conflict with another event, and everyone can't be accommodated. He feels that the target <br /> audience is everyone in Orange County. He would like to see something more like the Chatham County <br /> fair-with local agriculture, local artisans, local music, 4-h, baking contests among other things. He said <br /> this could initially be just 1-2 days and could potentially be held at the Blackwood Farm. He said this <br /> would offer a showcase of Orange County's agricultural past and general history given through oral <br /> history. He said the theme would be all about Orange County and would provide a celebration and a <br /> chance to show off the County. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said he would like for the Board to move forward with this and he feels it <br /> can be done in a way that is manageable and financially feasible. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked what approach would be used to figure out the financial aspects, such <br /> as best practices from other fairs. <br /> Dave Stancil said the committee did not presume too much at this point. He said it would be good <br /> to get financial and operating budget information from some of the other events already being done. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said the Board needs to think about whether this will be a break-even <br /> event or whether Orange County will help foot the bill. She said another issue is scale. She said the <br /> people she has spoken with want a local emphasis with a focus on agriculture and food. She said there <br />