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Kalamazoo County to set 2026 fair dates, disband Fair Advisory Board and shift management to parks department
Summary
After weeks of public pressure from 4‑H families, commissioners voted to disband the Fair Advisory Board, create a staff‑led working group, and set the 2026 county fair for Aug. 2–8, 2026 while directing an RFP for carnival services.
Commissioners voted on Nov. 18 to reorganize governance of the Kalamazoo County Fair and to set the 2026 fair dates as Aug. 2–8, 2026.
Dave Rakowitz, director of the Parks & Expo Center, said the Fair Council recommended the parks department lead 2026 operations — hiring a fair coordinator and seasonal staff — while the county issues an RFP for carnival providers. Rakowitz presented a rough budget estimate of about $450,000 for the event, noting…
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