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The offer to pay the Chisago County Fair Ag Society Board one million dollars to relocate the fairgrounds and free-up the Rush City site for redevelopment has been rescinded.  

The fairgrounds will no longer be pursued with the goal of turning the city acreage into tax generating  land. 

The purchase was proposed by longtime local philanthropist and businessperson Dennis Frandsen.

In a statement released last week Frandsen said he has considered reactions to the offer he put forward a few months ago,  to buy the fairgrounds.  He concluded that residents most directly affected “don’t care one way or the other.”  From informal feedback, and responses to a mailed survey postcard—he guesses most survey respondents are ambivalent if the fair was moved elsewhere. 

He also noted, the fair board distinctly rejected the offer.  

The Press reached out to the Ag Society Board and the response was as follows: “The fairgrounds were never for sale.  We would like to thank the community for their support of the County Fair.  Our mission is to educate, entertain, and promote agriculture, the arts, horticulture and other interests of the residents of Chisago County through the presentation of the fair..

“The fair has a long history of bringing generations of this county together and the members of the Ag Society along with countless volunteers, will continue this historical tradition in Rush City”

The 2024 fair is July 18-21.

Frandsen explained, “ I met twice with the Agricultural Society whose primary responsibility is putting on the county fair.  At both meetings their unanimous response to my offer was that they are not interested in moving the fairgrounds.”  

He went on to say the Board’s declared focus of agriculture portends a weak outlook for a thriving  fair enterprise because the county has fewer than four percent of its populace relying on agriculture as a primary source of income.  

Frandsen explained he’d spoken with Sno Barons members, who own the site where Hay Days takes place,

in central Chisago County and the organization was open to hosting a county fair on its grounds near Almelund. County Fair is in July.  Hay Days isn’t scheduled until after Labor Day.  There already is parking, infrastructure, improved access, food prep and if any extra animal buildings, corrals or fair facilities are sought, these could be accomodated.

Frandsen also offered to cover costs for the historical society exhibits now at the fairgrounds inside of pole buildings, to be moved.

Frandsen concluded his prepared statement with, “I remain committed to the best interests of the citizens and economy of Rush City and Chisago County.”

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