Putnam Fair Board Chair Worried About Lost Momentum

Putnam County Fair Board Chair John Allen said he was not surprised commissioners might consider a one-three year hiatus in the fair.

County Commissioners are considering the sale of the Veterans Drive fairgrounds. At a Monday work session, several commissioners said they wanted to sell the current facility before building the new Tennessee Avenue facility.

Allen said the fair could lose its recently gained momentum.

“We expect the first year or two at the new property to be a drop back from the 55,000 people that we have been attracting to the annual fair,” Allen said. “So, there would be a serious momentum that would be reduced and in some cases lost. I am not sure if we would be able to keep our present fair board in place.”

The fair board has spoken with the commission and has asked for a final fair before the property is sold.

“I hope that is what they do,” Allen said. “I think the community has strong ties to the present property, and I think people would be upset if they did not get to have one more fair at the present fairgrounds.”

Allen said the 2021 fair is almost completely planned out. Allen said if next year’s fair does not happen, Putnam County will not be able to compete in the Tennessee State Fair Champions of Champions.

“I am trusting the commission will honor our request,” Allen said. “I am also trusting the people of this county that have a strong tie to the fair that they will make their feelings known to their commissioners about how much they want to have one more fair at the present fairgrounds.”