Snohomish County Evergreen State Fairgrounds
Fair Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday January 10, 2017
Attendance:
Don Ballard, Chairman
Tod Johnson, Vice Chairman
Kathleen Wright, Secretary
Elaine Johannsen
Marshia Armstrong
Vickie Andrew
Rick Merrill
Mark Mahnkey
Anne Lowe
Jerry Smith
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Excused
Present
Present
Fair Staff:
Tom Teigen, Sno. Co. Parks Director
Hal Gausman, Fairgrounds Manager
Debbie Donk, Programs Specialist
Brielle Dodge, Marketing Specialist
Guests:
Dodi Currie
Alessandra Durham, Sno. Co. Boards & Commissions Manager
Call To Order:
Don called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
Roll call was conducted.
Minutes
MSP: To approve the November 8, 2016 minutes.
Introduction of Guests:
Alessandra Durham, liaison between the county executive’s office and the county Boards and
Commissions: She can assist with public records requests, county emails, pictures and bios.
Committee Reports:
1. Ambassadors – Tod spoke about a walking parade during fair. There will be an
Ambassador Committee meeting February 14th at 6:00 pm in the Admin office.
2. Recognition – Hal distributed Caryl’s vendor list. Debbie will have the list of programs
department and superintendents at the April meeting.
3. Rodeo– Debbie was at the ProWest Committee meeting and they want us back. They
will have a new secretary. The number of participants seem to be the same with NPRA
and ProWest sanctions. Kelly and Al were not at the meeting. Good specialty acts and
a good quality clown would go a long way for us, which is budget prohibitive. Cowboy
Poker and Mutton Busting also mentioned. Ushers at the Rodeo could help fill vacant
seats, boosting attendance. Debbie and Vickie will set up a conference call with Al and
Kelly. Craig will not be Rodeo Coordinator this year. Buzz Inn will still sponsor the Rodeo
Dinner.
4. Special Events – The Water Balloon Toss was moved one hour earlier so 4H kids showing
animals can participate. Contest prizes TBD. Conflicting Arena times for Frisbees and
Goats, Debbie will check with Sherry.
Old Business:
a. Fairboard Vacancy - District 2 – Hal reported on one application, which will be put
forward.
b. 2017 Fair Honoree – Deadline January 31, 2017.
c. Smoke – Free 2017 Fair – Hal handed out maps of the fairgrounds showing 25 foot
setbacks as per RCW 70.160.020 (3), pretty much covered the whole fairgrounds. Talked
about signage with “Clean Air Zone”, with designated Smoking areas. The Sheriff’s office
like this concept better. The County Health Dept. will help us locate areas for smoking.
Marijuana smoking is not allowed. A press release will help educate the public pre-fair.
d. Other Old Business – None
New Business
a. Capital Improvement Project Review – Hal broke down the Capital Improvements for Sno.
Council and the Executive - Maintenance: Beef Pav. Improvements, restroom remodel
(grant); 104 rest room at the same time/ family in women’s and more stalls; rest room
panel partitions in the arena (quote on replacement). East parking lot, possibility of
partnering with the boat repair to pave the roadway and fill in holes and grade lot;
Covered walkway; RV 1 upgrades; Wayfinding – grant for signage/ Arts commission will
work on this with Hal and the FAB. Equestrian 106 renovation; asphalt fix; remove panels
from horse barn for fix (need labor force – maybe prisoners?) Spread out over a couple
of years…covered arena; equestrian restrooms; asphalt repairs, seal coat in Pygmy Goat
Barn - maybe the Fair Foundation can help. Grandstand leaks; Gary Weikel Bldg.
concession; Commercial Building and Display Hall replacement (bond?) – create a process
for design and review with FAB, full review of plans, chase prices and work out special
use; replacement of Courtyard stage.
b. 2017 Committee Assignments – Sign-ups for this year’s committees took place.
c. 2017 Labor Day Closing Time (Sept 4) – Vendors and the Carnival have requested staying
open until 9 pm on Labor Day. This is being considered, the animal barns would close and
release as before. Tod asked about security with the late closing. Security is in place
overnight until Tuesday, September 5.
d. Other New Business - None
Other Business
Staff Reports:
a. Brielle Dodge/Marketing Specialist: Brielle presented a PowerPoint marketing recap of
the 2016 fair. The overview showed the types of advertising used and the response in
ticket sales. Also shown was an overview from social media as to how the public is
portraying us, and a digital news sites recap. Some of the Goals for 2017 are increased
sponsorship for exhibitor’s prizes – Amanda is working on this with companies such as
Ball. Larger visual footprint – maybe big screens at entry gates listing events of the day
and fair policies. Due to “Sensory Day” requests, Brielle suggested, Wednesday – Family
Day – opening early to accommodate families of children with sensory needs. Brielle and
Debbie are working on it. Ann suggested maybe trying this out at the spring fair. Clark
county firefighters partner with families and help guide them through the event. New
Calendar design, smaller with 6 months on a side and more fair pictures are available to
distribute. Get 2018 Fair Theme ideas to Brielle by January 26th.
b. Debbie Donk/Programs Specialist: Debbie handed out a Draft of the 2017 ESF Special
Days. Good news! Pony Rides are back this year – Great American will bring their pony
rides. Entertainment apps due the end of February. Applications are on the website. Hal
said Caryl has some returning vendors from Puyallup. Vendor apps are on website. Hal
said Debbie, with Brielle’s help with marketing, is managing the Music on the Plaza,
Wednesdays, July 5 – August 16, at the county courthouse in Everett.
c. Tom Teigen/Sno. Co. Parks Director: Tom mentioned STEP (Service Technology Excellence
Program) the new structuring program in the county from the Executive. WSU
Cooperative Extension has been transferred to the Parks Department, with Hal as the
liaison. All the changes will be completed in 2018. The changes will create the
opportunity for better communication. Tom said this is the first year he will miss the
opening day ceremony at the fair, due to a family event. He’ll be back for the parade.
d. Other Business – Vickie mentioned the Fair Foundation Appreciation Dinner is February
11th in the Longhouse. Look for invitations in the mail. Jerry donated generators to the
fair.
Adjournment
It was MSP to adjourn the meeting at 7:14PM.
Submitted by,
Kathleen Wright
Fair Advisory Board Secretary