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Townsend Fair board says recent paving at fairgrounds will complicate vendor parking, urges precautions
Summary
Fair organizers told the Townsend Fair Board that recent asphalt work at the fairgrounds created slopes and uneven areas that could cause problems for vendor rigs and horse trailers; board members plan outreach to vendors and asked the county for gravel approaches.
Townsend Fair Board members discussed new paving at the fairgrounds and its knock-on effects for vendor and contestant parking during the seasonal fair, saying the surface is steeper than expected and vendors should plan to level trailers.
The board raised the concern during its regular meeting while reviewing vendor logistics and rodeo preparations. Organizers said the asphalt work left a noticeably sloped surface near vendor areas and the main north approach, creating a hazard for campers and horse trailers.
The warning matters because many food and commercial vendors operate from trailers and campers that need level ground for safe setup and operation. Board members said they will notify contracted vendors that county sanitarians require a temporary food license and that vendors may need to bring leveling blocks to stabilize rigs.
Sheila, speaking for vendor coordination, reported the current vendor count and described the paving problem as a practical issue for this year’s operations. Denise, who addressed rodeo and spectator parking, said the airport runway is closed for reconstruction and that the board expects to allow additional spectator parking farther north in the main lot this year only, while the runway is unavailable for flights. Board members discussed asking the county to add gravel approaches at the far east end of the grounds to improve access for trailers and 4-H campers.
Meeting participants described on-site measures they are planning: roping off stretches adjacent to the east fence to keep cars from parking in unsafe gaps, using posts and guide lines inside the fairgrounds to channel traffic, and emailing vendors about the slope and temporary food-license requirement. Denise and others said they would encourage vendors to bring blocks to compensate for the slope and that they will tell contracted vendors about the paving in advance.
Board members also noted that the paving work had been done with limited prior notice to the fair organizers; Jessica (a liaison mentioned during the discussion) and others said they would follow up with public works and the county to improve notification in the future. The board also discussed longer-term constraints: while the airport runway closure allows expanded spectator parking this year, organizers said that option may not be available in future years when the runway reopens.
The board did not take a formal vote on mitigation steps during the meeting; members said they will send emails to vendors early next week with guidance and will ask the county about adding gravel to key approaches.
The meeting opened with routine business and ended with an adjournment at 5:54 p.m.
