We love fun here in Orange County. The new commissioner-appointed County Fair Working Group’s idea for an Orange County-specific fair is a great idea. Though it should be distinctive from our state fair, the opportunity could be a gold mine for economic activity in the county — not to mention a prime opportunity to showcase Orange County pride.
Having a county fair specifically in Orange County would be more than just an event to bring in business and tourism. It would also be a chance to celebrate the county’s rich history in the state.
Recent news has speculated on the ability of Orange County to continue the tourism boom that has spiked the county’s economic growth. Well, our county commissioners seem to have handed us a chance to do just that.
The County Fair Working Group has reported that dreams of a county fair could be realized as soon as 2015. As tempting as “the sooner the better” ideology may be, it will be important for the group to be certain of its finished product before staging a fair.
As long as parking woes plague Orange County, such a large-scale public event will be a traffic coordinator’s worst nightmare. Attention should also be devoted to ensuring the reputation and atmosphere don’t mimic that of the North Carolina State Fair, whose atmosphere would probably be amiss in Orange County.
Overall, an Orange County fair would be a great addition to the county. Residents interested in the development are invited to next Wednesday’s open meeting at the Solid Waste Operations Center located at 1207 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill.
