GILROY
– Amid plans to transform the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
into a concert venue, Supervisor Don Gage says he is committed to
moving the annual county fair to South County.
”
It’s just the logical place,
”
Gage said.
”
That’s where most of the agriculture happens in the county
anyway.
”
GILROY – Amid plans to transform the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds into a concert venue, Supervisor Don Gage says he is committed to moving the annual county fair to South County.
“It’s just the logical place,” Gage said. “That’s where most of the agriculture happens in the county anyway.”
Gage said the fair needs roughly 100 acres of operating space. Agricultural or open lots that size, he says, are significantly easier to find in South County than they are in greater San Jose.
Already Gage has told his fellow supervisors that his support for the development of the concert venue hinges on the relocation of the annual fair. Gage wants a portion of the proceeds from the concert venue to help relocate the fair.
“I’m still working on that,” Gage said. “The board was supportive the last time I spoke with them about it.”
Bear Ranch in San Martin is Gage’s lead possibility for the relocation. The ranch is located off San Martin Avenue east of U.S. 101. It currently is a working cattle ranch.
Since the fair is a temporary event – it runs typically the first weekend in August – the ranch could do double duty, Gage said.
Gage has not reached any formal agreement with the owners of the ranch.
Heather Nolan, an agricultural science teacher at Gilroy High School, welcomes the fair’s move south. It will make the animal- and plant-toting commute much easier on her Future Farmers of America students. But she says the entire fair – from the rides to the food booths – should move, too.
Nolan worries that without the extra fare, a significant number of people won’t make a special trip to see the livestock and plant shows.
“Ag right now needs a lot of promotion,” Nolan said. “The better off we’ll be if more people come to see it.”
Gage said certain components of the existing fair – such as the merry-go-round – would not be relocated. However, Gage said the food booths and other rides and attractions will head south.
Also, some of the events now held within buildings would have to be done under tents or in the open air.
As for this year’s fair, the event will take place at the existing county fairgrounds. It runs Aug. 6 – 8. For more information, visit www.thefair.org online.
Eric Leins covers city politics for The Dispatch. He can be reached at 847-7158 or by e-mail at er***@************ch.com.
