3/13/2025

BESSEMER – More discussion regarding the future of the Gogebic County Fair was discusses at last night’s meeting of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners.  Prior to last night’s board meeting the Personnel Committee members met to interview 2 applicants who are seeking to be the new Gogebic County Fair Coordinator. No decision was made on which of the applicants or whether either of the applicants would be hired. Also, the “Friends of the Fair” were placed at the last minute on the agenda as they issued “a letter of interest” to the County Board on taking over the operation of the County Fair. Commissioners Pete Matonich said that the Board had appointed himself, Commissioner Dan Wood and County Administrator Juliane Giackino to be on an “exploratory committee” to consider what something like that “would look like.” Commissioner Matonich stated that if the Board would consider letting a non-profit entity to take over County Fair operations it could entail opening it up to give opportunity to any non-profit besides the “Friends of the Fair” to submit a proposal. That was echoed by Commissioner Wood who stated that the Board is “open” to the possibility of letting the operation of the County Fair be taken over by a non-profit similar to Marquette County and Iron County, Michigan.  There will be more discussion at future meetings.  Decay of buildings at the Gogebic County Fair Grounds and a fire almost 2 years ago has put the future of the fair in question.  Last year’s fair was scaled down and was held at Gogebic Community College.