Gogebic County board advances $30,000 for fair expenses

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Bessemer — The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners agreed to advance $30,000 to pay pre-fair expenses Wednesday.

In a letter, Gogebic County Fair Chairman Jim Gribble said at its most recent meeting, the fair board unanimously requested an advance to cover pre-fair vouchers.

He said the money will be repaid by fair receipts, as has been done in previous years.

County board member Jeff Wasley, of Ironwood, who also sits on the fair board, said the county board also advanced the fair board the same amount a year ago.

No one attending the meeting was sure whether that money had been repaid, however, and a lengthy discussion followed.

It was agreed fair board members should appear before the county board’s finance committee to discuss the future of the fair.

Last year’s fair was held on the last weekend in August and there were conflicts with the start of school and football games.

In order to get a carnival, this year’s fair is again scheduled late, for Aug. 24-27, a situation county board member Dan Siirila, of Ironwood, said could lead to another poorly attended fair.

Admission costs will remain the same at $10 for that Thursday and $12 a day for the reminder of the fair.

Commissioner Tom Laabs, of Ironwood, said it’s too late to talk about this year’s schedule, but he’d like to discuss the upcoming dates and plans with the fair board.

Wasley said the volunteers involved with the fair are doing their best, but acknowledged poor attendance last year hurt.

Commissioner Bob Orlich, of Wakefield, said with all of the expenses that come before the county board, funding the fair should be a top priority.

A drastic decrease in state funding in recent years has also been a big factor in the fair struggling to make ends meet.