4 —HERALD-CITIZEN, Cookeville, Tenn. — www.herald-citizen.com — Sunday July 26, 2015
PUTNAM COUNTY FAIR
Fair board keeps working to improve fair By BRITTANY STOVALL HERALD-CITIZEN Staff
COOKEVILLE — Many have said last year’s fair was the best one in Putnam County in years, and this year should be even better. “Based on what we have been told by our guests, and the feedback we have gotten, we have built an even better fair program this year,” said John Allen, president of the Putnam County Fair Board. “One that we think our guests will enjoy and come back several days during the 10 days.” Last year brought numerous fair achievements for the board, including a 22 percent increase in fair attendance over the previous year and expanded marketing efforts with a new brand image, fair theme, poster and fair book reaching the entire county. “Last year’s fair was planned to change the image and bring people back to see how wonderful the county fair can be,” Allen said. “This year we are building on that image and planning and delivering the biggest and best program our resources will support.” Additionally, the fair board worked to reach out to young people by creating a new Junior Fair Board. There was also a greatly expanded Senior Citizen Day and significant increase in Pacesetters and Special Children’s programs. Plus, the number of daily programs featuring live demonstrations was doubled; fundraising was expanded with a 209 percent increase in private support for the fair; and over 1,050 volunteers who contributed 17,627 hours in support of the fair. Not only has the fair program seen improvements, but the Putnam County Fairgrounds have as well. In mid-2014,
county archivist Glenn Jones was appointed as fairgrounds manager and has worked ever since to beautify the property and make it more appealing. Extensive renovations, additions and changes were made, which were reportedly more extensive than in the last 10 years, with 80 percent of the buildings being improved as of earlier this year. Grandstands have been painted, structure issues have been addressed and various additions, like flower beds, were installed. For the board’s efforts, last year’s 88th Putnam County Fair was named the Most Improved Fair in Tennessee in the AAA division by the Tennessee Association of Fairs for 2014. But the board expects this year’s program to be even better, with a slew of new events, including pumping up the motor sports shows to five nights per week. Members surveyed fairgoers last year, asking what they enjoyed and what could be improved. Perhaps the biggest additions this year are the monster truck show and demolition derby. “We have worked very hard these last two years to bring back the Putnam County Fair of our memory,” Allen said. “Creating lots of entertainment events, adding to the premiums offered, cleaning up the fairgrounds and buildings, creating a friendly atmosphere, involving more volunteers, and deliberately asking our guests what we could do to improve the fair.” He added, “We are always open to new ideas. This fair board wants your feedback on how we can make the fair better.” For more information, visit www.putnamcountyfair.org.
Ty Kernea | Herald-Citizen
The county fairgrounds have seen a lot of improvements over the last year and a half. Crystal Holt, committee member for The Country Store, paints a table that will be used for playing checkers.
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