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Fairgrounds adopts adult 'fast pass' wristband trial; booking contract postponed
Summary
Fairgrounds director Rachel Giffley reported higher ticket sales than last year, approval of promotional and 4‑H sponsorship items, a new adult fast‑pass vinyl wristband pilot with sheriff coordination, and a postponed booking‑services contract with Fran Romeo pending further consideration.
Rachel Giffley, Fairgrounds and Parks, gave multiple operational updates and policy changes for the Brown County Fairgrounds and the county fair.
The commission approved the fairgrounds' promotional ticket list and a premium sponsorship contract that transfers funds to the 4‑H program to preserve achievement day. Giffley presented a proposed two‑year booking services agreement with the Fran Romeo agency intended to stay under the RFP threshold; the chair asked to defer that item for further consideration and the board later formally postponed action until next Tuesday.
Giffley described a pilot adult fast pass using a permanent vinyl wristband (instead of paper tear‑offs). She said bands will be placed on a designated arm, be color coded, require ID checks on re‑entry, and that the sheriff's office has reviewed and is supportive of the procedure. "We're gonna implement that," Giffley said, and added the change should reduce lines and save volunteer hours.
Giffley also reported ticket sales growth: about 5,000 tickets sold at the same date last year versus about 8,000 this year. She said revenue rose from roughly $161,000 last year to about $242,000 this year and attributed about $20,000 of the increase to a one‑dollar weekly mega pass price change.
Why it matters: The wristband pilot and sponsorship funding directly affect visitor management and 4‑H programming at the county fair; the booking contract decision affects event programming and vendor relationships.
What’s next: The Fran Romeo booking services contract is postponed until next Tuesday for further review; the fairboard will proceed with the adult wristband pilot this year and report outcomes.
