Time to set aside politics
Kelly Everitt

Bring fair into 21st century

Posted Friday, July 24, 2009, at 1:59 PM
Comments
View 6 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • Kelly,

    I agree with your overall assessment of the fair, it does need to become more of a 21st century event. However, I do not agree with your statement: "Today, only a small percentage of the population still works the land to put food on our table. The rural lifestyle that the traditional fair celebrated is now rare, not the norm -- at least not in Elmore County. And as a result, its relevance to the general population is fading."

    "According to the 2008 Idaho Agricultural Statistics, there are 364 farms in Elmore County producing agricultural commodities. Of these farms, 94% are irrigated and 6% are dry land farms. The irrigated farms have an average size of 478 acres, while the dry land farms average 1378 acres. The total acreage in farmland in 355,590, with an average farm size of 1,181 acres. Based on agricultural data collected by the State of Idaho, the market value of farm products sold by Elmore County farmers was $220,121,000 in 2006. Nearly 20% of Idaho agriculture is exported to foreign markets. Idaho reached a new record in FY2007 of $1.2 billion, up 25% from FY2006." Copied from: http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/elmore/New%20Agriculture%20Page.htm

    "Approximately 22% of Elmore County's lands are designated farm lands." This was copied from: http://www.elmorecounty.org/history.htm. 70% of the county is federally owned. I was not able to find the number of actual agriculture related jobs within Elmore County but I personally would not characterize this portion of the population as "...only a small percentage...". I would find more relevance in good hard numbers rather than a generalization.

    Have you attended the rodeo that is held on Friday and Saturday nights? The place is packed, even in the 100+ degree weather. There is still a tremendous interest in the history and heritage of this county, the farmers and cowboys should continue to be a major focus of the fair.

    -- Posted by jtrotter on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, at 9:27 PM
  • Yes, it has faded because subdivisions now sit where farms used to be and you support the nuclear power plant which will take prime farm land and turn it into an industrial wasteland as well as everything around it. Funny blog. It would almost seem as if you cared about the rural quality of life and the farmers. Funny stuff! Did anyone stop to think that maybe the fair was not as "good" as it could have been because of the economy? People are not spending like they did a year ago. Crafters do not want to travel several hundred miles to come to a fair and sell little to nothing. That is the reality of the situation. Could the people who ran the fair have done a better job? Maybe---or maybe not. You cannot make people spend when they do not have the money. I am sure that had a HUGE impact on this situation. At least a group of people tried to put on a good event which is more than I can say for the WECRD and their crew. 10 years of nothing vs. a fair that has had many good years but clealry felt the economic times this year. Many need to be happy someone agreed to run the fair at all. I am sure they will think twice before they offer to help next year and who could blame them?

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 12:23 PM
  • What has always drawn me to a fair is the exhibits the farm animals and the food. The carnival rides don't do it for me anymore other then making me sick. lol ! I also like looking at the crafts people enter to win a ribbon. Some people are very creative !

    -- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 4:31 PM
  • Just had to go completely off topic to get your jab in, didncha?

    -- Posted by MrMister on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 7:42 PM
  • Just had to go completely off topic to get your jab in, didncha?

    -- Posted by MrMister on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 7:42 PM

    Learned from the Master Mr. or Mr. Master:) You have a very nice day.

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Tue, Jul 28, 2009, at 2:00 PM
  • *

    The Fair does have problems, and there are lots of reasons. Yes, the economy for one. Lack of (I've said it before) parental involvement with the projects. However, I'm involved, and have been for 20 years, in the "4-H Horse Project" and there was actually an increase in participation in this! That excites me! I watched the Pig show and loved seeing the kids have a good time. I don't have children in the age of 4-H any more, but still love to be involved. BE involved if you can, and encourage others to be involved. It can get better.

    As far as the administration of the County Fair.....hmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... maybe a bit of open mindedness of what we that have BEEN here all these years think and advise might help. Just a thought. I saw a lot of "I know what's best" attitude going on.....

    Jessie

    -- Posted by jessiemiller on Sun, Aug 2, 2009, at 10:04 PM
Respond to this blog

Posting a comment requires free registration: