Release Date: Mar. 10, 2011

Fairgrounds Closed Due to Flooding

Millersburg, Ohio -- At its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 10, the Holmes County Fair Board voted to close the fairgrounds indefinitely due to damage caused by recent flooding. Once present water levels subside, all gates to the grounds will be locked and only authorized entry will be permitted.

The Board likely will schedule a special meeting to tour the grounds once conditions are suitable for entry. Preliminary observations reveal extensive flood damage was caused by the flashflood on Feb. 28, and the continued flooding from the Killbuck Creek. The creek has been out of its banks and onto the fairgrounds continuously for nearly two weeks and counting. At its highest level, there was nearly six feet of water on portions of the grounds.

Prior to any clean-up or access to the grounds by the public, the board has asked Holmes County Engineer Chris Young to tour the grounds and examine the buildings for structural damage. In addition, inspections of electrical equipment and plumbing fixtures will take place. Health concerns will be addressed before a clean-up plan is put in place.

"We have considerable damage, including a large amount of metal fence that is completely flattened, as well as tons of debris to remove," said Board President Kerry Taylor. The board will formulate a plan for clean up, which will likely include many evening times and weekends. Assistance from the public will be sought to assist with manpower and equipment during the scheduled times. "We have no insurance coverage for this damage, so we will attempt to do the clean-up with as little cash output as possible," Taylor said.

Board Vice President Chris Hanna will head-up the clean-up effort. He stated that once safety concerns are addressed an aggressive clean-up plan would be implemented. "As soon as we can fully assess the damage, we will put a plan together and get the information out to the public, espcially 4H clubs, who have already been asking what can be done," Hanna said.

The board also voted to cancel all events planned for the entire month of April that were scheduled for the fairgrounds, and events planned after that will be evaluated over the next few weeks.

This flooding reinforces the board's effort to relocate the grounds, where plans are well under way. Any move to the new location is at least two years away, so the board will make the best of the situation to get the current grounds in shape to host the fair. "Make no mistake, we will have a fair in August and we will work even harder to get the faigrounds relocated to a safer venue, free of flooding," Taylor said.