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Commissioners direct staff to seek outside operator, aim for 2026 fair with rides and 4‑H showcase
Summary
The Board of Commissioners instructed county staff to solicit external proposals to operate a re‑launched Kalamazoo County Fair in 2026, aiming to pair carnival rides and food vendors with the 4‑H agricultural showcase while staff pursue a longer-term transition to a self-sustaining model.
Kalamazoo County commissioners on Oct. 21 discussed a recently completed fair feasibility study and directed county staff to move forward with a plan to hold a 2026 fair at the county fairgrounds, while issuing a solicitation to identify an external operator or vendor partner to run carnival rides and related vendor operations.
The board’s direction followed a broad discussion of community support in the feasibility report, timing constraints for vendors and ride providers, and long-term options to transition the fair away from direct county management.
What the board agreed to do
- Issue a solicitation/request-for-proposals (RFP) or similar outreach to identify an outside operator or carnival vendor to provide rides and vendor coordination for a 2026 fair. Commissioners said the RFP should reflect a target of 4–5…
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