Mercado festival draws thousands; commissioners approve material‑testing contract for fairgrounds phase 2

County staff and the fairgrounds director described a three‑day Mercado Festival that officials said drew about 5,000 people and generated an estimated $50,000 in vendor sales; commissioners praised staff and discussed next‑year timing around construction.

Albert Torres, fairgrounds director, told the court, “We had over a 100 booths this weekend with over 200 vendors ... that attracted over, 5,000 people,” and said the event produced vendor and hotel‑night tax revenues the county expects to retain locally. Commissioners said the event was successful and discussed making it an annual draw while managing construction scheduling for the fairgrounds.

Separately, the court considered a $186,700 proposal for materials testing for Phase 2 of the 1848 Fairgrounds project. Howlett Engineering and Survey Company representatives explained the scope (soil movement, utilities, pavements and parking areas) and staff said the testing item had been carved out of the larger construction contract. Several commissioners pressed for a clear funding source and asked the auditor to reconcile bond and reserve accounts; the motion to approve the work authorization carried with directions for budget reconciliation.