Sanders County Fair Board looks for new fair manager

Tracy Scott Valley Press, Clark Fork Valley Press & Mineral Independent, Plains, Mont.
·2 min read

Nov. 15—November's Sanders County Fair Board meeting saw a larger than normal attendance in anticipation of finding a new fair manager.

Five local individuals are vying for the position.

Sanders County HR representative Rich Wallace was on hand to discuss with board members how they wanted to proceed with the new fair board manager interviews. Interview times will take Nov. 13-17. Board members will interview all five candidates.

The board is also looking at hiring a fair maintenance employee next year.

During public comment, local resident Teresa Garrison raised several questions and asked who was paying for fair board members to attend the National PRCA conventions in Las Vegas.

Fair Board Chairman Randy Wood responded, "So, if you're going to the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) convention in Las Vegas. That's before the rodeo, that's no different than the commissioners going to their MACo (Montana Associations of Counties) convention. That's no different than Lisa going to the clerk's institute. It's no different than any of us going to our conventions where we go to, to learn better things on how to operate the business."

Board member Brian Crain, also responded.

"I went last year, Crain said. "It's a week before the NFR. (National Finals Rodeo). Everyone thinks we are going to the NFR, it is a PRCA convention. We are not going to the NFR. You go to meeting after meeting to learn better ways to run your rodeo, better ways to find sponsorships. You're not mingling with the cowboys, you're at meetings all day long learning how to make a better rodeo. I believe that the county has never paid for any rodeo tickets. We are trying to make our rodeo the best medium sized rodeo in the PRCA. All expenses incurred by the board members are voted on by the board or approved by the county."

Garrison also expressed her concern about the quality of the carnival. She asked if anyone could find out if the Missoula carnival could do the Plains fair like they did years ago.

"I don't know who has been contacted about carnivals, but apparently none were contacted last year, because you renewed the contract a month after all the complaints were made in the surveys," Garrison said.

A question was also asked about a lack of vendors this year at the fair.

"Every single spot was rented," Woods responded. "If the vender didn't show, that's not on us. There were more spots rented than any other year before. Vendors that don't show up are not refunded their deposit."

Fair board member Brian Crain. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)

Fair board member Ted Forkum. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)

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