05/18/2008: "Citizen Input Wanted on Future of the Fairgrounds"

The Fair Board has asked the County to consider an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan that will recognize the Fairgrounds for what it is and allow new activities to occur that are both appropriate for its purpose and allow it to generate revenue that will keep the facilities in good health for the long term.

The Fair Board wants to hear from you, the community, about their proposed re-designation application that has been submitted to the Community Development and Planning Department.

.
(continued from front page)

The goal is to protect its neighbors as community needs grow while maintaining its mission as a community asset for the annual Fair and Fairgrounds.

Public meetings are planned for each ferry-served island so the Board may hear the public’s comments. Written comments and/or questions are also welcome to The San Juan County Fair Department, P.O. Box 1094, Friday Harbor, WA. 98250 or info@sanjuancountyfair.org

The meeting dates and times are as follows:

San Juan Island – May 28th at 5:30 in the 4H Marie Boe Building
Orcas Island – June 4th at 10Am in the Orcas Library Meeting Room
Shaw Island – June 4th at 1PM at the Shaw Community Center
Lopez Island – June 11th at 10AM in the Lopez Library Meeting Room

The San Juan County Fairgrounds - just outside Friday Harbor on San Juan Island – is a public asset that serves the community year-round. The Fair Board, county citizens who serve as stewards of the Fairgrounds, is responsible for advising the County Council about the long-term viability of the Fairgrounds and the San Juan County Fair.

The County Fair is about competition and education for youth and adults in the areas of livestock, agricultural products, textiles, fiber, fine arts, and crafts etc. Plus the Annual Fair is also known for its excellent entertainment, food and fun for all islanders and visitors.

The Fairground is open to the public as a day park and as a place for people to gather for many other events throughout the year. Some of these are perennial, like 4H activities, Island Park and Recreation programs such as: Family Park, Skating Programs, Children’s Fest and the Canine Festival. Other varied community events include: Oktoberfest, 4H and Pony Club horse events, off season Flea Markets, Fundraisers and more.

Some users have moved away to other sites, for instance the San Juan Senior Center, the DOL, the Food Bank, and the Conservation District office, now have their own facilities.

The Fairgrounds have served the islands since 1923. In 1998 the county adopted a land use plan and regulations that didn't recognize the role of the Fairgrounds - it merely assumed the Fairgrounds would continue to be used as it had in the past, surrounded by a residential area.

Now, however, the Fairgrounds are needed for community uses that are rooted in its history, and additional opportunities for the site that haven't been considered before. These might include a permanent site for the San Juan Farmers' Market, a commercial kitchen for community use, a commercial and educational greenhouse, office space in the Grey Top for the Fair Administration, camping for groups, and the use of the new property acquired in 2005 are among the requests for the fairgrounds.