The County Fair Advisory Board discussed at length how to set the county fair dates going forward and postponed a decision until the board obtains confirmation from the carnival and rodeo contractors and neighboring fairs. The board found the phrase “third full week” in historical minutes but noted that current practice has not been consistent and that some multi‑year contracts already set the 2026 dates.

Board members said the “third full week” language is historically grounded (minutes from 1948 were cited), but that relying on a Thursday start can put the fair in the same week as a nearby fair (Kitsap) and create conflicts. Staff reported that several rodeo and carnival contractors operate regionally and that some hold calendars years in advance; shifting the fair one week would require reconfirming those contractors. The board noted the practical constraints: some rodeo contracts are multiyear and carnival contractors have limited availability in the Pacific Northwest.

Rather than vote at the meeting, the board directed staff to confirm with Jefferson and Kitsap fairs and to contact the rodeo and carnival contractors about their scheduling windows before making a long‑term decision. Board members discussed options including always counting by the third Friday or the third Saturday, and one member recommended voting only after carnival and rodeo dates are confirmed.

Ending: The board postponed a motion and will revisit the date policy at the next meeting after staff returns scheduling confirmations from the carnival, rodeo and neighboring fairs.