Tradition, reality clash at fair

Here’s a fun question for Fair Week:

Is this the best place for the fair?

I’m being literal. Should the Citrus County Fairgrounds be in Inverness on a busy highway next to the airport?

Or, as some politicians have quietly discussed in recent years, should the fairgrounds be in Lecanto, traditional home of Citrus County’s agricultural community?

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Nothing is imminent. No formal talks, that I’m aware of, have occurred. But make no mistake. Conversations with decision-makers are taking place.

The idea being that the 28-acre fairgrounds property has become an albatross in what is otherwise a growing economic corner of the county. Not necessarily my opinion, but it’s one shared by many.

Let’s talk about it.

The Citrus County Fair dates back to 1920 in Lecanto. It's been on the current site since 1948.

The Board of County Commissioners, back then, donated 45 acres to the Fair Association with the understanding that it would be used for the county fair. If not, it reverts to the county. Over time, the Fair Association split off acreage for what would become the Citrus County Speedway.

And the fair has grown significantly. The county stopped its taxpayer stipend years ago and even more recently reverted ownership of the auditorium to the Fair Association. It’s an entirely private, not-for-profit enterprise, licensed annually by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Which means, technically, the Fair Association can stay at the fairgrounds as long as it wants. The county has no “we need it more than you do” clause in the deed. Simply, Inverness is home to the fairgrounds, annual fair, weekly flea market, tractor pulls, and all the other events that support the fair.

Now. The county won’t blurt it out, but it has a much different vision. In the last decade, it has poured significant money into upgrades at Inverness Airport, the creation of an airport business park, and most recently, the final decision to start construction of a new animal shelter in Lecanto. 

With the shelter moving off Airport Road, the county may eye the fairgrounds property next. There is vacant state land near the Lecanto school complex. If Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a true friend to Citrus County, goes along with it, that opens up relocation possibilities.

I’ve talked with some people about this. Ending an 80-year tradition will only work with the backing of Citrus County’s pioneer families who created the fair and made it the success it is today. (Full disclosure: I'm a Fair Association member. Joined for the first time this year.)

Our photo is of a beautiful corner of the Harley Levins Building dedicated to the fair’s history and the people who kept it going over the years. Fair directors, board members, and volunteers who place the interests of 4-H, FFA, and the community ahead of their own.

(Mike note: I originally said the exhibit is in the Riggs Building. That is a big oops.)

They’ve built something solid in Inverness. To coin a phrase, the place has good bones. Their sweat and hard work permeate the fairgrounds. To simply pick that up and move somewhere else is a little disconcerting.

The folks in these conversations understand that. One political type who regularly spends thousands of his own dollars every year supporting youth at the livestock sale told me heritage and tradition would play vital roles in whatever decision is made.

So does logic.

I’ll just end here. I went to the fair Tuesday night. It was BOGO on ride passes, so the place was packed. The parking lot was full, as I expected, so I parked on Airport Road. Way down the road. When I left, folks were parked all the way to the animal shelter with a long walk to the nearest fair entrance. That’s a narrow, dark street after dark. Not good, man.

With Citrus County’s population growing, and the fairgrounds landlocked, a relocation isn’t out of the question. All I suggest is that those conversations move into the public arena sooner rather than later.

I soak up the Citrus County Fair. This week, I’m in my happy place.

Have a great Thursday, friends.

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