Gogebic County Board hears public's hope for some sort of 2024 fair

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer - After announcing the closure of the 2024 Gogebic County Fair earlier this month, members of the county Board of Commissioners were met with another crowd of concerned citizens at their second October meeting last week.

Typical board meetings, which are usually held in the 98th District courtroom of the county courthouse, draw only key county officials with few or no members of the public.

The two October meetings bucked that trend, with Chairman James Lorenson moving both sessions to the more spacious 32nd District courtroom.

The vote to close the fair occurred at the Oct. 11 meeting, following an unexpected Sept. 26 fire that burned down three fairground structures directly after two others had been demolished.

The initial pushback on the fair's cancellation from an angry public was intense enough that Lorenson explained the county's reasons in detail in an Oct. 26 Globe column titled "Why the Gogebic County Board cancelled the 2024 fair."

At last week's Oct. 25 meeting, several Ironwood residents addressed the board, suggesting various reasons why next year's fair needed to occur and/or how it could be made to work - with Lorenson striving to meet them on the common ground of a potential compromise.

"I was just devastated; I was heartbroken," said Linda Nelson, a member of the Gogebic County Fair Board.

Nelson's disappointment in commissioners' decision to cancel next year's fair, along with any other major fairground events, inspired her to write a statement that Fairground Coordinator Marlene Saari read aloud to the board.

"I understand your concerns with the fairgrounds, but I, as well as many others, have also been trying very hard to be able to have a 2024 Fair, the Snowmobile Olympus, and all the other activities at the fairgrounds happen," began Nelson's statement.

According to her research, Nelson said in her statement, it appears that the 4-H barn, which burned, and the poultry barn, which was dismantled, could be replaced in short order by qualified local builders.

"I do understand that there are others out there who have been talking about a different type of 4-H barn, with a possible indoor riding arena, and I also think that if this is something we are even remotely thinking about, now would be the perfect time to do this," wrote Nelson. "I, as well as others, would be more than happy to look into this further and bring all this information back to the county board by the next meeting."

In relation to reviving the 2024 fair and other major fairground events, Nelson said, "I am asking the county board what we have to do to make this happen. The entire community is willing to help. Please, again, I am asking what can we do to make this happen?"

"The fairground, the fair and the Snowmobile Olympus are important to the community," said Steve Frank of Ironwood, who added that the importance is cultural, historic and economic.

He added that the deterioration of fairground buildings over the years is the fault, in part, of commissioners.

"The fairgrounds have been neglected for many years," said Frank. "You do not get to blame past boards. You are the past."

He also criticized the board's prior vote to demolish the poultry building and the grandstands after a related engineering report.

"Nothing in their report indicated the need for full demolition," said Frank. "You did that."

In his column in last week's Globe, Lorenson said a structural study in the spring of 2022 "indicated that estimated repair and replacement costs for the fairground facilities totaled $1,984,000. This was beyond expectations."

"I'm here to represent the carnival," said Bill McDonald of Bessemer. He agreed with Vicki Nelson of Ironwood, who had spoken prior to him, that if no carnival is hired for a 2024 fair, it could be difficult to hire anyone again.

He suggested that commissioners allow a smaller fair in 2024 in the south side fairground area where the carnival and multipurpose building are located.

"Could we run a day fair?" asked Thomas Hampston of Ironwood.

Hampston, who is a Fair Board member, suggested the possibility of restricting the 2024 fair to an earlier period such as 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. so that commissioners' fears of electrical damage could be avoided.

Ed Lakner questioned how many county funds from the American Rescue Plan Act had been earmarked for the fairgrounds, and Saari pointed out that weddings and parties already had been scheduled at the grounds during the coming year.

In his column, Lorenson had stated that commissioners are willing to "consider plans for a more limited less-than traditional fair-type event in lieu of a traditional fair." But he added that "approval of such an activity will depend on the status of work underway at the fairgrounds and the ability to provide a safe environment."

Lorenson repeated that consideration during the meeting. He also added that the county is working on documentation needed to address the electrical upgrade.

Commissioners voted to transfer the matter to the county's Economic Development and Capital Improvements Committee.

Noel Worden Sr. of Ironwood said many licensed and insured contractors were willing to help restructure the fairgrounds "because they know how much a fair means to a county like this."

Commissioner Joseph Bonovetz requested a list of said contractors, and Lorenson backed up that request, which Worden said he would oblige.

In separate motions, commissioners also voted to assign to the Economic and Capital Improvements Committee an Oct. 17 letter from Marenisco Township Supervisor Bruce Mahler, who suggested that the county consider Marenisco as the site for a brand new fairground location, and an Oct. 19 letter from Watersmeet Township Supervisor Mike Rogers, who supported Mahler's suggestion.

Lorenson also said the county believes it proper to wait to take fairground action until a formal fire marshal report has been received. He said that three different insurance companies also must work out related details.

County Administrator Juliane Giackino reported by email on Tuesday that the fire marshal's report still has not been received, but she added that cleanup of the fire debris has begun.