The threat of possible high winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Ian has caused the cancellation of the Hamilton County Fair, scheduled for this weekend in Sale Creek.
"The possibility of inclement weather has caused many vendors, exhibitors and attractions to withdraw from participating in the Hamilton County Fair, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at McDonald Farm," Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Director Tom Lamb said in an email Wednesday afternoon. "We regret having to cancel this year's fair, but the annual Hamilton County Fair will be back better than ever next year at McDonald Farm."
This was to the be the first year that the annual fair was to be held at the recently purchased McDonald Farm. It had been held at Chester Frost Park for the past two decades. Lamb told the Times Free Press in August that the 2022 fair would be smaller as the new site is developed with infrastructure such as electricity and water, but that it would be more focused on showcasing livestock and agriculture.
Hamilton County purchased the farm in December 2021 for $16 million.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said at the time that the sale of the 2,100-acre farm would be used for a variety of uses, including things like the fair and an industrial park.
-- Compiled by Barry Courter