Will Walworth County Fair raise a toast to beer?
Walworth County Fair Board officials are considering adding a beer tent to future fairs as an option to boost sales and generate more revenue.
The idea is among several options to increase revenue at the Walworth County Fair, including higher parking and admission fees.
But the beer tent seems to be the only controversial one so far, Walworth County Fair spokesperson Susan Pruessing said.
Pruessing said fair and community members have started to pop in at the fair office to offer their two cents. It's been about half for and half against the idea, she said, and the Fair Board will continue to seek feedback from the community before going any further with a resolution.
The board's consideration has upset a Whitewater church, whose members said any of the other options will be better than a beer tent.
In a resolution sent to the Fair Board, the Administrative Council at La Grange United Methodist Church wrote that the beer tent could result in unsupervised children running around the fairgrounds while their parents drink. It also could promote drunken driving, the resolution stated.
"If the fair cannot continue as a family friendly summer event, and if alcohol sales are the only way revenue needs can be met, then perhaps it is time to close the fair," the resolution reads.
But Pruessing said competition with other county fairs is rough and times have changed.
"It's not our grandfathers' fair anymore, when we were the only guys in town," she said. "We are struggling as many county fairs throughout the state of Wisconsin are struggling."
Pruessing said the beer tent idea came from a consultant hired by the board to analyze how to solve key financial issues fair officials face. They also looked at corporate sponsorships, but that alternative has been difficult to explore.
During this year's fair, UW-Whitewater and UW Extension researchers will run an economic impact survey of fair attendees to evaluate whether selling beer would be a viable option.
In the fall, the fair board will host hearings and focus groups with residents.
"Where we will go from there, I don't know," Pruessing said.
The 160th Walworth County Fair, scheduled to take place Sept. 2-7 in Elkhorn, will be dry.
Aug 11, 2009 at 5:07 p.m.
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I thought that when the woman that donated the land for the fair grounds, she had a stipulation that alcohol will never be served.
I for one appreciate the fact that there is not alcohol at our fair!
Charge a grandstand admission to raise $.
As a mom, I like the fact that I can let my kids enjoy the fair, being able to walk around their friends without the nuisance of drunken people wandering around.
Aug 11, 2009 at 4:57 p.m.
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why not sell it?? like something negative could come from gettin lots of people together in hot weather and consuming alcohol in mass quantities?? even IF there were possible negatives, the money is WAAAAY more important. why would anyone try to raise revenue by getting better acts or offering something more family oriented when all they have to do is sell beer??
Aug 11, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.
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I agree with most everyone here about not selling beer at the fair. I'm more of a tequila person.
Aug 11, 2009 at 3:42 p.m.
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Prounion go to a bar and drink all you want.
Aug 11, 2009 at 3:17 p.m.
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Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy - Ben Franklin.
Aug 11, 2009 at 3 p.m.
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It's pretty sad that the Walworth County Fair
Board Members are considering selling beer in order to make more money! Because the economy stinks now we need to sell beer? The Walworth County Fair has always had wonderful attendance without the people who go to a fair to drink beer! How many times have the Elkhorn Police Dept. been called to a tavern because of a drunk Carnie causing trouble? Lets not have that kind of trouble on the fair grounds. We don't have Wild Children running around the fair but, we have GREAT KIDS having lots of fun with their friends. They meet with their parents on prearranged times so parents know everything is Ok. Parents feel that the children are safe at the fair why change that security? I have always been proud to say "our county fair does not allow beer and everyone has a great time without alcohol". The fair board members should not have early admission sales for $20. They should sell the admission tickets for the correct price of $30 to everyone. Why give $10 to people who would pay the $30 anyway?
Then complain that you need more money so now you want to sell beer!!!!!!!!
Aug 11, 2009 at 1:22 p.m.
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"In a resolution sent to the Fair Board, the Administrative Council at La Grange United Methodist Church wrote that the beer tent could result in unsupervised children running around the fairgrounds while their parents drink. It also could promote drunken driving, the resolution stated."
Hell, they should just take a page out of Edgerton's book. If three guys stand in one place staring at a hole in the ground the city will approve a beer tent for it. Unsupervised children, disorderly behavior, pish, posh, our children need to see their parents getting blotto in public as often as possible, that's the Edgerton way anyway. So why fight it Walworth Co.
Aug 11, 2009 at 12:59 p.m.
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How much extra are you willing to pay to park your car and gain admission to the fair grounds?
Aug 11, 2009 at 10 a.m.
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If the Walworth County Fair starts serving beer count me out. That's all we need are drunks sitting in the beer tent while their wild children run round the fair causing trouble.
From what I have heard the beer tent would not be on the fair grounds that were donated and part of the no alcohol allowed stipulation. It would be on the chunk of land at the entrance of the fair - by the armory. The fair board bought the house and land that was there and tore down the house a few years ago. That chunk of land was not part of that landswap years and years ago with the no alcohol stipulation. That how the fair board will get around that deal.
Why does every event in Wisconsin have to revolve around a beer tent? I thought fairs and other community events were to bring a community together and promote family-fun? How does alcohol fit into that?
Another thing I can't understand is how the fair board keeps crying broke? They rent out the grounds for different events in the summer. They charge huge booth rentals for the fair itself and they rent out the buildings in the winter for boat storage (at least they used to - not quite sure they still do). Where the heck is the money going?
Maybe it's time for some new leadership in the fair board. People with fresh, innovative ideas. People who can budget wisely and not try to make a quick buck with a beer tent that will only be trouble in the long run.
Who wants to go to a fair with a huge police presence - just to keep an eye people who's only way to have "fun" is to be bleary-eyed and abnoxiously drunk?
The people of Walworth county better let their voices be heard or it will be a free-for-all at the Walworth County Fair if the power "drunk" fair board has their way.
Aug 11, 2009 at 5:51 a.m.
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The reason the fair is on the land it is on is because it was donated many years ago with one stipulation, they could never serve alcohol. What happened to that landowner contract?
Aug 10, 2009 at 8:24 p.m.
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Serving alcahol at Walworth Co. fair is not the thing to do.This is only one that dont allow alcahol of any kind.Start charging for the granstand shows.
Aug 10, 2009 at 7:42 p.m.
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Alcahol is what keeps the Wi. state fair from being #1. Let's not ruin the Walworth fair.
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