Board ends hope of 2024 fair at Gogebic Fairgrounds

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — At their most recent meeting last week, the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners delivered a hard no to any attempts to retain the 2024 fair at the county fairgrounds.

The agenda included two items: 1. Reconsideration of the board’s Oct. 11, 2023, vote to close this year’s fair at the fairgrounds, along with any other major events there; and 2. Subsequent action to consider a revised proposal by county Fair Board members, who have been pushing for a smaller version of the fair that would address immediate repairs and safety concerns on the grounds.

Commissioner Joseph Bonovetz made the motion to rescind last fall’s vote, which was considered a necessary prelude to any other action as he had made the original motion.

“When we made that decision, we made it without any of the discussion or information or passion that we’ve had since then,” said Bonovetz of the Oct. 11 vote.

Commissioner James Byrns, who also chairs the Fair Board, seconded the motion.

They both voted to support the motion, but Chairman James Lorenson and commissioners Daniel Siirila, Thomas Laabs and Robert Orlich all voted no. George Peterson III was absent.

After the vote, the second agenda item on the fair board proposal then remained in the “receive and file” mode to which it already had been delegated in a previous meeting.

The controversy regarding whether to schedule the 2024 fair at the fairgrounds began after last year’s planned demolition and an unexpected Sept. 26 fire resulted in the loss of five buildings.

It has been the ongoing contention of Lorenson, who also is a fair board member, that pending construction at the fairgrounds will pose related safety concerns.

“There may very well be construction there this summer,” said Lorenson to The Globe after the meeting. “I’m still going to err on the side of safety.”

Moreover, he said that delaying construction to accommodate this year’s fair would only increase costs.

But he said that the board’s action relates only to this year and the county has continued to move forward with plans to pursue grants and to address the fairground losses, in terms of repairing damaged buildings and replacing lost ones.

“I feel bad for the kids,” said Byrns after the meeting in relation to the board’s vote.

But he also emphasized the board’s focus on the needed “revitalization” of the fairgrounds and reminded of the many steps involved: collection of grant or insurance funds, engineering plans, building inspector approvals and bid processes.

Byrns hopes that those steps will, hopefully, lead to the fair then returning to the county fairgrounds by 2025.

In line with making improvements, Fair Board member Thomas Hampston said in the meeting that he has volunteers to repair horse barns under the supervision of a licensed contractor at no cost to the county except materials.

He said that the Fair Board and Friends of the Fair will pay most expenses.

Lorenson asked him to provide a proposal in writing to the board’s Economic Development and Capital Improvements Committee.

During the meeting’s public comment session, the board received both support and criticism.

Jaylee Somero of Ironwood Township, who was the county’s 2023 Youth Volunteer of the Year, spoke of how committed 4-H members are to working each year to prepare the fairgrounds for the fair.

“We enjoy every minute of it,” she said.

But she asked that board members understand how much area youth will lose by not having a fair at the fairgrounds.

As one example she said, it could be the last year that a graduating senior has a chance to show an animal before departing for college.

“You’re taking away our chance to make lifetime memories,” she said.

Erwin Township Supervisor Larry Grimsby said he was speaking as a private citizen.

“I farm in that area,” said Grimsby. “I’m very supportive of the 4-H program.”

He added that his own family members have been active in the program.

Nevertheless, he said, “When attorneys make a suggestion, they’re really telling you what to do.”

Grimsby was referring to recent advice from the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority, which is the county’s insurer and which recently advised not holding a 2024 fair at the fairgrounds.

Lorenson, who initially supported the Fair Board’s revised proposal, said that advice was what caused him later to retract his support.

Grimsby suggested the Iron County Fairgrounds as a viable alternative that “could be a win-win for both counties.”

Katie Nelson of Ironwood Township, who said she was “horrified” at that suggestion, added that special testing would be required of any animals crossing state lines.

Fair Board Member Linda Nelson urged board members to gather more input before pursuing fairgrounds construction. “We truly are not on the same page as to what needs to be done,” she said.

She added that construction should be delayed until after this year’s fair, which would negate any safety concerns in holding the 2024 fair on the fairgrounds.

“The fair is not only important to the Fair Board, but also to the community and even to people who do not live in this region,” said Nelson.

Jim Gribble of Bessemer, who is president of the Friends of the Fair, agreed that a lack of major construction — combined with addressing immediately needed lesser repairs — would allow for safe use of the fairgrounds.

Marc Behrendt of the Aurora Club said the mild winter already has damaged the local economy and added that not having a 2024 fair would hurt many businesses and organizations.