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Discussions about relocating the Chisago County fair based on a private citizen’s purchase, who will give the land to the city for redevelopment,  may still be alive yet.

The county fai rboard had rejected $1 million offered for the fairgrounds, after hearing a preliminary proposal from businessperson Dennis Frandsen.  (Press stories May 25 and June 1) But, County Commissioners last week felt more encouragement should be given to the fair officials, and the concept should be re-examined.  Frandsen attended the county commissioners’ regular session to try to measure their level of support and  the consensus was they’d be interested in bringing the parties together.

Rush City resident and County Commissioner Dan Dahlberg, commented that “one way or the other,” it would be nice to utilize the fairgrounds land more than the traditional few days for the fair.  

Commissioner Dahlberg stated he had not “formed an opinion” as of last week’s meeting, but the tax base the city could generate from that tract is something that should be looked into.  There are negatives to losing the fair, and changes would impact some local non-profits and civic groups, he added.  

“I hope the fair board discusses it thoroughly” Dahlberg remarked.

Since the meeting with fair officials, Frandsen explained that he has had positive talks with the Hay Days motorsports event sponsor, SnoBarons snowmobile club.  When he first floated the purchase plan he had not communicated with other organizations, and he told the County Board last week that Sno Barons representatives were very receptive to another use of their site between North Branch and Taylors Falls.  

Hay Days drag races, swap meet and expo is held on a couple hundred acres near Almelund, which would position  the fair more centrally in the county.  The events on this property attract thousands in early September.  The County Fair is a July tradition as a feeder event to state fair participation. (July 20-23 this summer.)

Frandsen told the commissioners the fair group would have the million dollars, plus whatever they might be able to get selling removable Rush City buildings.  Space is available at the Hay Days site for new facility needs.  There’s plenty of land there for parking.

Frandsen still has to meet with Rush City Council, he added.

A philanthropist, bank founder and business owner, who has lived in this area for decades, Frandsen assured the county officials he wants there to be a county fair.

He said he drives past the fairgrounds all the time and has long envisioned the potential for the prime real estate and its potential to benefit the county.

Commissioner Dahlberg agreed the fair can be perceived as a gap in the downtown landscape and doesn’t do much to entice visitors to further investigate Rush City when they come off the I-35 corridor.

Commissioner Marlys Dunne liked the concept but said she doesn’t know much about the pros and cons.  It would bring more locals to the fair if it were in the midsection of the county though.

Commissioner Ben Montzka told Frandsen, “I applaud your vision and I applaud what you have done for the ...community.” (Post secondary student scholarships, donating a county park, jobs created,  etc).  Montzka said Frandsen has always been far-sighted and has the best interests of the county at heart.

“We will watch what unfolds,” he concluded.

There was no specific action taken but commissioners say they would welcome public input on this issue in coming weeks.

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