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Lane County staff say chalkings allowed outside fair booths; county will review policies after complaints
Summary
County staff delivered a prepared statement about controversial booths and sidewalk chalking at the recent county fair, saying outdoor booth content does not equal county endorsement and that sidewalks outside vendor aisles were permitted drawing space but that aisles and fire egress must remain clear.
A staff statement presented by county staff at the March 18 meeting said Lane Event Center staff will review fair contracts and policies after public complaints about items and messaging in vendor booths at the most recent fair.
The statement, prepared “coming out of Dan” and read during announcements, said the event center is a public facility and that rented vendor booth space can be used by a variety of organizations. “These organizations choose to express their purpose or values in a variety of ways that do not necessarily reflect the endorsement of Lane County,” the statement said.
Staff also addressed sidewalk chalkings near the fairgrounds and said chalk drawings on sidewalks outside the fair were allowed. Fair staff said the aisles between booths are treated as fire lanes and must remain clear; the county will review policy and contract language to address future concerns.
Staff promised to take public comments into consideration when reviewing Lane Event Center rental policies and fair vendor contracts. The board did not take formal action during the announcements section; commissioners complimented fair security staff for their on‑site work during the event.
