Beer sales considered at Clark County Fair

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By Matt Sanctis, Staff Writer Updated 1:57 PM Thursday, July 21, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Clark County Agricultural Society are debating whether kegs should translate into cash at future fairs.

Allan Hess, executive director for the Clark County Fair, said the board of directors for the Clark County Agricultural Society approved asking its members to allow the sale of beer to raise additional revenue for the fair.

The society is providing a survey to agricultural society members that asks if beer should be sold at designated locations on the fairgrounds. Members can choose from three answers: yes, no, or no opinion.

No decision will be made for several weeks, Hess said. While many area residents believe the fairgrounds receive money from the county, that is not the case, Hess said.

The county owns the property and has provided money for capital improvements, but Hess said most of the money used to run the fair comes from money generated during fair week, as well as rent from other agencies and events that rent the fairgrounds throughout the year.

“The county does not supply us with any operating revenue,” Hess said.

He said several other areas, including Auglaize, Greene and Montgomery counties, will sell beer at their fairs this year. Officials in those counties could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

It is too early to say how much money could be generated, he said, and the issue will not be decided any time soon. The fair recorded paid attendance of more than 94,000 people last year.

“We’re not going to be selling beer at this fair,” Hess said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355.

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