Planning is underway for the 2021 Othello Fair, although whether the fair will occur is still unknown because longer-term use and maintenance of the fairgrounds is under discussion by Adams County Commissioners.

Fair President Becky Flint told the commissioners March 15, based on their research, Othello Fair Board members are planning for a 2021 fair Sept. 15-18, but it depends on COVID-19 cases and whether activities are allowed by state officials.

Since 2018, there have been two fairs in Adams County. Neither of the organizations in charge of the fairs are sponsored by the county, but the county owns the Othello Fairgrounds. And that, said commissioner Jay Weise, means the county is responsible for the property’s management and maintenance.

Flint said the Othello Fair Board is interested in leasing the fairgrounds for about 30 days around the time of the fair, but not year-round. A financial analysis indicated the fair board wouldn’t be able to pay the expenses and upkeep of the property unless it could generate some supplemental income.

The fair board would need to rent out the grounds to generate revenue, Flint said, and fair board members aren’t sure it could be rented often enough. With the current restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, it can’t be rented at all, and it wasn’t for most of 2020, she said.

Commissioner Dan Blankenship said the county was in the same situation as the fair board: without supplemental income it would be difficult to maintain the grounds.

Blankenship said it should be possible to promote the facility and attract some events. Weise said it would require hiring someone to oversee the facility.

In addition, said commissioner Terry Thompson, buildings on the grounds need repair and maintenance, and county officials already invested money in the facility.

However, the Othello Fair’s lease is year to year, and Flint said fair officials are interested in a longer-term lease, up to five years.

Thompson said the fair board also is interested in updating some of the buildings. Flint said there are areas of the grounds that need new sod, and a 4-H group expressed interest in repainting the sign at the swine barn.

Adams County Prosecutor Randy Flyckt noted improvement projects would be acceptable if volunteers donated their labor. It would be a violation of state rules if the fair board asked for a reduced lease in exchange for the work, Flyckt said.