Richland County Fair Committee elects officers, finalizes entertainment and approves gate-pricing plan

The Richland County Fair Committee met and voted to proceed with the agenda, elected Carrie Sievers chair, Scott Paul vice chair and Sandy Campbell secretary, and approved a gate-pricing plan that keeps Thursday free, charges full price Friday and Saturday and reduces the price on Sunday. The coordinator reported entertainment contracts are signed and that sponsorships so far total about $7,545.

The vote on gate pricing followed a lengthy discussion about attendance patterns, family affordability and traffic safety. Scott, who moved the pricing proposal, said a free Thursday helps kick off the event and keeps families coming; committee members voted by voice and the motion passed with no recorded opposing votes. The committee also approved adding the coordinator to the community-bank signature card to streamline fair transactions.

Why it matters: decisions on entertainment spending, ticketing and volunteer responsibilities determine whether the fair covers costs and remains accessible to local families. The coordinator told the committee the current entertainment spending projection is higher than the budgeted line, and sponsorship and volunteer commitments will influence whether the fair breaks even.

Entertainment and budget details Lyric, introduced as the new fair coordinator, told the committee that entertainment contracts are signed and the headline act will be Ashley Ryan, a Nashville artist. The coordinator reported a contract cost of about $5,000 for the band plus housing and transportation; a $2,500 down payment was already paid. The coordinator said total entertainment spending so far is “roughly $30,000,” while the fair’s entertainment line in the budget was described in the meeting as about $24,000. The coordinator and members repeatedly noted that sponsor revenue (reported at $7,545 to date) and in-kind contributions will be needed to cover the difference.

Logistics and safety Committee members discussed stage and sound logistics, noting the hired sound/lighting crew will bring its own equipment and arrive early on the event day. One member volunteered to arrange a formal inspection of the main grandstand bleachers after members raised concerns that the seating had not been inspected in recent years. The volunteer warned that an inspection could reveal safety issues that would require contingency seating plans.

Volunteers, barns and cleanup Members emphasized volunteer recruitment and asked the coordinator to circulate expectations for barn cleanup and post-fair responsibilities. Several attendees argued that exhibitors, clubs and superintendents should resume responsibility for cleaning barns and moving bedding and waste (an approach used historically), and the committee agreed to send clear written guidance to those groups.

Marketing and tickets The coordinator presented poster artwork and asked for approval; members recommended a modest print run and greater social-media outreach, plus targeted advertising in neighboring counties and radio giveaways. The committee approved a ticketing motion (voice vote) to keep Thursday free, charge full price on Friday and Saturday, and reduce admission on Sunday; members asked the coordinator to publish clear entry rules and to remind exhibitors that entry in certain classes can entitle participants to free or season tickets.

Votes at a glance - Motion to proceed with the meeting despite a missed bulletin-board posting: approved by voice vote (motion moved and seconded). - Election of officers: Carrie Sievers elected chair; Scott Paul elected vice chair; Sandy Campbell elected secretary (elections carried by voice vote). - Addition of fair coordinator to community-bank signature card: motion made and approved by voice vote; mover and seconder noted during discussion. - Gate-pricing motion (free Thursday; full price Friday & Saturday; reduced price Sunday): motion carried by voice vote; exact tally not recorded.

Next steps The committee asked the coordinator to finalize vendor and volunteer lists, post ticketing details publicly, arrange the grandstand inspection and follow up with the public works and publicity tasks. The meeting adjourned after members confirmed follow-up by email and a scheduling survey to separate parks-related committee business.

Sources: meeting transcript of the Richland County Fair Committee; statements and motions recorded during the meeting.