Roseville, Calif.- The Association that has had stewardship of the Placer County Fairgrounds for 80 years has been awarded a three-year contract to continue managing the fairgrounds’ facilities, the All American Speedway, and the annual Placer County Fair by the Placer County Board of Supervisors.
The Placer County Fair Association (formerly the Roseville Business Men’s Association purchased the property in 1935 and over the next several years deeded the improved land to the County with the original agreement that they would manage the property and annual County Fair.
The contract comes following a study and request for proposals by the Placer County Fair Revitalization Committee. “We have been in limbo this year waiting on the determination by the County,” said Greg Hegwer, interim CEO. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the vote of confidence by the County and their continued investment in the Fairgrounds.”
Hegwer was tapped by the Fair Board in January 2015 to bring the operation into compliance with State and County authorities and to manage the annual Placer County Fair while the study was on-going. His credentials include stints as the CEO of the Gold Country Fair in Auburn and the Colusa County Fair in Colusa, and more than 40 years in the Fair industry.
The contract includes a $200,000 investment in the facilities from the County to assist with grounds improvements, repairs and maintenance for the aging structures. “We are already working closely with Placer County Public Works and Facilities in a team approach to address and prioritize the most critical items,” said Hegwer.
The Revitalization Committee has spent the past year learning about Fair operations, facility usage and enhancement, history, and inter-agency relations. The Committee will continue in an advisory role.
Moving the Fairgrounds and/or the All American Speedway to a new location is not an immediate consideration according to David Henry, Fair Board president, but may be part of a long-term discussion.
