By James B. Bartle
The Meramec Community Fair board of directors announced several changes for the 24th annual Meramec Community Fair set for June 23-26.
“As a board, we are working hard to make this fair bigger and better than ever,” said James Bartle, fair board president. “We took a big hit in 2009, as our numbers were down and we lost some $28,500. We had extreme heat and a poor economy, but we feel that we can bring our numbers up in 2010 and bring a better fair for our fairgoers.”
The first change for the fair will see the parade being moved from Sunday to Tuesday at 6 p.m.
“We moved the parade in 2009 to Sunday but, in 2010, the board of directors voted to move the fair to Tuesday night,” said Bartle. “The board wants the parade to stand alone on a separate date from the fair and we feel Tuesday night provides the ‘kick off’ for the fair week.”
Ticket prices and revenue were discussed by the board with the season pass remaining at $25 for all three days; however, early bird tickets will go from $17.50 to $20. The early bird tickets will be on sale in the spring and from November to Dec. 23, so that people can purchase the perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays.
The event lineup is undergoing a major set of changes in 2010.
“We feel that events need to be improved, changed, and just provide a new look in 2010,” said Bartle. “The fair board has agreed to a two-day event at the Saddle Club grounds that will include a Bull Bash and full scale Rodeo. In the track area, the truck and tractor pulls and mini rods will all be held on Thursday night with side-by-side competition.”
“On Friday evening/night, we will hold our motocross at the motocross track while on Saturday night we will hold a demolition derby. The antique tractor pull and kiddy tractor pull will also be held on Saturday afternoon.”
As for the entertainment lineup in 2010, the fair board is seeking support from the Sullivan Cultural Grant Committee.
“We are applying for the Sullivan Cultural Grant for this year’s main stage entertainment to match what the fair board spends. This could help us bring in some real chart toppers and bigger name entertainers than what we’ve ever had before. We will apply for the grant this month and, hopefully, find out if we receive it in October. I will be meeting with a booking agent for entertainment in late October/November and, if everything goes well, we hope to bring in some big acts this year.”
Bartle stated that the fair board is not sitting still with last year’s down year.
“We’re not gonna just sit and hope to make up what we lost this year,” said Bartle. “We have a fundraising committee together that is going to look at doing some fundraising events to help put some of the money we lost this past year back into the fairboard account. This next year is going to be very busy and we want to see large crowds and support in 2010.”