Carthage Fairgrounds

[CarthagePrez]

But does it mean enough to a large number of people?

My wife has decided to attend the next Fair Board meeting (11 May, 7:00, main office if you want to go) and try to get involved and maybe help with some of the ideas.  I'm sure they would welcome any and all volunteers.

Dawn, I got your phone message and as soon as I can get an evening free of disassembling/reassembling my car I will call you back.

[Dawn Longworth]

AMEN!!!!!! 

[Valley Cat]

Methinks the people in Wyoming ought to get their facts straight. The Fair is not facing bankruptcy. If anyone thinks they are going to raze paradise so they can put up a parking lot (or an off-ramp) they misunderestimate how much the fair means to some people here in the Valley.

[Dawn Longworth]

Below is just a little something that I cut & pasted from the City of Wyoming Web page about possible alternatives for the Galbraith Road exit closure....

Potential to Explore Additional Alternative
"The City should explore the potential of having an off and on ramp constructed at the Ronald Reagan Highway and Vine Street.  This could not be included in the current study as it is outside the scope of the study.  However, we could explore discussions with the County about the potential of approaching the State on this project.  The project would go before the TRAC (see attachment) who would make a determination.  However, given the potential bankruptcy of the Hamilton County Fair, and the potential that this land could be developed, we may be able to work with the County and the City of Cincinnati on this project.  We should contact Bill Brayshaw, County Engineer and County Representatives to explore the possibility of this option."


You have to keep your eye on them......

[Valley Cat]

I am meeting with Dick Ingle of the Fair Board tomorrow. He is in favcor of a Farmers Market, he just needs help. If you are interested in helping, please e-mail me.

[BlytheWalker]

About a Farmer's Market at the Fairgrounds - It was our hope for the Carthage Market would grow & ultimately move to the fairgrounds....Without help & support of the neighborhood it will not fly. I speak from experience - Carthage Market lasted 12 weeks. During our 12 weeks of operation maybe 6 Carthage residents supported the market. We asked for help, most ran for cover. Many had lots to say after we stopped doing it but none came forward with tangible help. We got burnt out very quickly. It's hard not to get discouraged when people stand by seeming to be waiting for an idea to fail & then when they do, are very quick to give their opinion of the way it should have been done. 

[Dawn Longworth]

Rob, I agree with you completely about the exit ramps and I also agree about the farmers market.  A few Hartwell residents wanted to start one, it would be great to rent out spaces and I think it would do well.  And, I agree, no more car lots.  Not one!

[CarthagePrez]

A higway ramp there would be a big mistake, but yet another flea market would be worse.  The existing market/used car dealership across the street is enough of an eyesore to begin with.  When I heard that the building had caught fire I was disappointed to discover that the CFD put it out.

The Fairgrounds have made several attempts at alternative uses over the years.  We had high hopes for thier contract with a professional soccer team but I think the deal fell apart before the first game was played.  They've tried to rent boat/RV storage space and are currently trying to expand on the horse boarding buisness.  One factor that may work against them in the long term is the fact that everything has to be cleared out in August of every year.

The facilities don't seem to be adequate for convention business either.  The restroom facilities are limited and the stand-alone unit on the upper level or south end is winterized each fall.  Maybe with some remodeling/updating they could make some good use of those nice big buildings.

I don't know what can be done with the property as it stands and I bet I couldn't come up with any ideas the board hasn't already thought of.  I do know that I won't support any highway proposals or development into any kind of flea market.  I'd like to see a farmer's market in season or if they could develop something along the lines of Findlay I could get behind that, but the sucess rate doesn't look too promising - Pleasant Ridge had a great thing going and it only lasted a few years.

I don't know when the fair board meets but maybe they could use some help if anyonw has time for one more meeting.

[Valley Cat]

I will fight, tooth and nail to save the fairgrounds. It simply needs to be used more often.

As the rules are written, the Commissioners cannot sell it without the consent of the Fair Board, and the Fair Board cannot sell it without the consent of the Commissioners.

Personally, if I was on the Board, I would be marketing it as an alternative to the Downtown and Sharonville Convention Centers. If nothing else, run an indoor/outdoor Flea Market there, something like the one up by the former VOA site.

Mike

[Dawn Longworth]

Rob, I am very happy to hear that you are not in favor of loosing the FairGrounds.  I would be more than happy to be your wing man on that one.  BUT...you need to know that Wyoming has information on its web page about the Fairgrounds and how it can help save the Galbraith Road exit ramps. Wyoming says "we should explore the potential of having an off and on ramp contructed at Ronald Regan and Vine Street."  It states, " however, the potential bankrupcy of the Hamilton County Fair, and the potential that this land could be developed, we may be able to work with the County and the City of Cincinnati on this project.  We should contact the County Engineer and County Reps to explore the possibilty of this option."

Hello????Am I loosing my mind here or does Wyoming sound like they need an on/off ramp constructed in their own back yard. 

[Valley Cat]

Rob,

I don't have anything new. The fair is in financial trouble, through no fault of the board. They lost a major tenant when the laws regarding donating cars to non-profit groups changed. Also, the brutal heat last year impacted attendance.

If I hear anything, I will post it.

[CarthagePrez]

Any proposal to sell the Fairgrounds is news to me.  Being in a flood plain really hurts the chances that it can be reused or improved much beyond what's there now althought the southern end could be worked with.

Personally I would object to the end of the Fair and I would venture a guess that most of the CCL would object as well.  The last I heard was that they asked the County to help out financially but I never heard the final response to the request.

If you have any firm info I'd appreciate it if you could bring us all up to speed.

[Valley Cat]

Rob,

How do you and the Carthage Civic League feel about the Hamilton County Agricultural Society selling the Fairgrounds and turning it into a commercial/industrial development, thus ending the fair?

Before you respond, I'll give my thoughts. I would like to see a large investment in the property - add an amphitheater and more enclosed seating, for instance, so the 30+ acres can be used far more frequently. Plays, concerts, mega displays - lots of things could be held there. It's half-way (or about) between Downtown and West Chester as well as Cheviot and Mt. Washington. Decent access from I-75 and RR Highway. Along Vine Street and a short jog from Galbraith Rd. It's a gem of Hamilton County and making it something that is used more than three times a year - and only one major event, is something I think ought to be a high goal.

I wonder - do you or anyone else have figures about how much money the Fair alone contributes to Carthage's economy?