|
|
||
Fredericksburg Fairgrounds get facelift Date published: 7/2/2008
BY SHAYNA JACOBS
The new manager of the 270-year-old Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair has been wanting a facelift for the fairgrounds for years. Ron Self, 57, has been infatuated by the fair--in general--since the 1950s when, as a boy, he worked year-round to make money to go to the event. "This is part of my heritage," said Self, a fair board member, shareholder and volunteer. "Growing up in this area, the Fredericksburg Fair is in your blood." In his early fair days, his father clutched his hand as he tried to break free and indulge in the festivities. In recent years, the fair has suffered from fewer vendors and visitors. Self, a King George resident, said vendor attendance has been falling short, partly due to a lack of maintenance at the grounds. For that reason, he devotes after-work and weekend hours, nearly seven days a week, to planning and making improvements. He can be seen during his free time, cart-cruising the grass and dirt landscape that has come to life, with kinetics and culture, for a week or so every summer, with some interruptions for wars and other events, since 1738. This year it will run for 10 days, from July 25 to Aug. 3. "I want it to be here for my grandchildren," Self said. It's his goal to revitalize what is a 270-year tradition--the oldest fair in the nation. Paint jobs and utility work are the most visible changes to the 32-acre lot. Buildings that were linoleum-white are now vibrant in color. "It sounds interesting this year, there's a lot more going on," said George Washington Jr., 67, a lifetime Caroline resident and fair frequenter. A promotion partnership with WFLS radio and seasonal programming at the site, such as a car show and animal auction this year, is now in place to raise money for upkeep and enhancement. "It will help revenue for the fair and help to upgrade it," Self said. "I'd love to see a new building built here." Fair patrons this year will see a Ferris wheel for the first time in 15 years, along with four other new rides and added attractions. A daredevil act, the Crash Gordon Thrill Show, will run July 29.
Thank you, Mr. Self, and all volunteers and workers helping to give the fairgrounds a facelift. I have very fond memories of the fair as a kid in the 60s-70s. It was the highlight of the summer. Perhaps the high cost of fuel will keep people local and encourage them to check it out this year - make some memories!
I stopped going to the fair several years ago. The high entrance fees, combined with the fair's attractions, made it hard to justify the cost year after year. Now that the fee will be lower I may have to go. The new attractions sound interesting.
so each ride you will have to pay for seperatly wow thats not good you should have left it at 10 dollars it will coast more than that now,rides can add up some rides take four tickets thats 2.00 dollars or more ,i dont think you will see a big difference with that price come on give the county residents a break, nothing else is look at the gas,i think you can do better than that dont make the people pay for the fixer uper it needed it.this is not fair for the community.
Enter the baked goods competition!!!!! Go to FredFair.net, find the Fair Catalog and print the Farm Product Entry Form. Enter by July 22. Let's see who makes the best cookies, pies, and cakes in the area. (There are lots of categories for sewing and crafts, too.)
Its good to see improvments to the fairgrounds and I hope traffic and parking is taken into consideation. As a county resident that lives close to the fairground I get stuck in traffic backups and see the danger involved when people park across the road from the enterance and walk across Rt. 2&17. Yes there is usually police there but as I have witnessed in the past they are standing back talking to each other. A classic example was when an easter egg hunt was there. Lets try to make it safer for all.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
