By Jim Thaxton
FALMOUTH — A carnival will return to the Pendleton County Youth Fair this June.
Eli Mann, representing the Youth Fair Board, discussed plans with the Pendleton County Fiscal Court at the court’s Jan. 14 meeting.
Mann thanked the court for its continued support of the Youth Fair. He announced that this year the fair will be held June 16 to 21.
In response to the community’s request to include a carnival at the fair, the Fair Board signed a contract with Casey’s Rides Inc., Mann said. Reintroduction of the carnival was expensive, costing $60,000 for the six-day event, he said.
Entry fees to this year’s fair will be $10 Monday through Thursday and $15 Friday and Saturday.
Since purchasing the fairgrounds in 2018, the Fair Board continues to make significant improvements to the property, including the Griffin Center, which they leased, Mann said.
In 2024 the Fair Board installed new lights in the Griffin Center. They added security lights to the property which has notably reduced vandalism. The restrooms have a new roof. Mann estimated the costs of the improvements to be $40,000.
Looking ahead to 2025’s fair, Mann said that they will continue to pay the Sheriff’s Office and Pendleton EMS for staff present during the fair. They will also hire a security guard as a night watchman. In addition, Pendleton County High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps will be compensated for assisting with parking.
Mann said that he and his board visited fairs in Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Grant and other rural counties to get ideas on how to make improvements in the Pendleton County Fair and add additional profit centers to offset costs.
Before opening his presentation up to the Magistrates for questions and comments, Mann reminded the court that the Youth Fair Board was a 501-C3 nonprofit and that everyone on the board served as volunteers without compensation.
The magistrates’ attention was obvious, and they all seemed eager to ask questions and make suggestions.
Magistrate Rick Mineer pointed out that there was a lot of down time for the 21 acres of land and facilities between the Youth Fair and other events. He wanted to know if the board was exploring other rental opportunities.
Magistrate Darrin Greg suggested exploring more use of the Griffin Center including live music venues throughout the spring, summer and early fall.
Magistrate Joshua Plummer raised the possibility of adding alcohol sales as an additional revenue source.
Mann said the board was looking into additional special events, but said that his board believed that adding alcohol to the Pendleton Youth Fair would be sending the wrong message to the youth in the county. They would be open to the idea of allowing alcohol sales at other events like tractor pulls, he said.
The court encouraged the Youth Fair Board to work closely with Tami Vater, director of Pendleton County Economic and Tourism Development, to apply for grants and coordinate with other events in the county.
In closing, Mann outlined future projects and improvements to the fair grounds that included improving the grandstands seating, remodeling the kitchen and adding fans to the livestock barn.
OTHER BUSINESS
• The Court approved the resolution for Marianna Roseberry to serve as FEMA applicant agent.
• The court approved officers and pay for the Pendleton County Volunteer Fire Department.
Officers will be Darrin Brown, fire chief; Jeff Crouch, deputy chief and training officer; and Kenny Gibson, assistant chief.
Fire run billing of $500 will remain the same, with a revisit at an undetermined date.
• The court agree to fire inspections of county buildings for a two-year term.
• Mineer asked for a total cost for the snow removal be prepared and given at the next meeting.
• Gregg called the vourt’s attention to the pay differentials for Class A, Mechanic and Class C drivers, questioning the fairness of the current scales.
• Plummer pushed for continued road upgrades.
• The court adjourned into closed session to discuss personnel matters concerning the road crew, with no formal action to be taken.