Jul 24, 2024 By Zach Petroff 3 min read

With record-breaking temperatures the norm this summer, organizers of the Fayette County Fair are working to ensure visitors to the annual agricultural event that kicks off Thursday have a safe and enjoyable time.

“I mean we always want people to have fun and be safe,” said Fayette County Fair Board Vice President Danielle Allen Angelo, estimating as many as 100,000 people will pass through the gates over the course of the 10-day event. “And we’re trying to make sure enough procedures are in place to make sure everyone can continue to do that.”

Since 1955, the annual fair has allowed community members to come together and celebrate the role that agriculture plays in the county while enjoying wholesome fun like music concerts, petting zoos and getting an up-close look at farm animals. Angelo said making sure folks are having a fun and safe time has been a priority for the board.

One of the ways to ensure their safety is by giving them ways to beat the heat. Since June 1, the National Weather Service has issued 18 heat advisories for the region, 13 more than the average for this time period over the last 20 years.

According to Michael Gaston of the National Weather Service, temperatures likely will remain in the upper 80s and low 90s next week.

“We had a little bit of a cooler week this week, but it looks like we’re going back to those hotter days we’ve become accustomed to this summer,” Gaston said.

Along with physical ailments caused by prolonged exposure to heat, there are other issues that often accompany the rising temperatures, such as fires.

“We were a little concerned about possible fires with things being so dry,” Angelo said. “Most of us on the board are farm-related and a lot of our board members still farm, so we’re very much in tune and aware of the weather and the droughts.”

Among precautions being taken is locating a Fayette EMS tent station outside its main station that is located on the grounds near the fair’s main building. Members of the EMS and the Dunbar Volunteer Fire Department will be on site. There will also be two hospitality tents and several commercial buildings that will offer some respite from the heat and sun.

Matthew McKnight, assistant chief of operations for Fayette EMS, said his department has also installed safety measures, including multiple cooling fans placed throughout the fairgrounds.

McKnight said the best strategy is prevention, and he encourages fairgoers to take precautions in the summer heat.

“People can prepare themselves by dressing appropriately, using sunscreen, hydrating and resting frequency,” he said.

One of the fair’s most visited sites, the outdoor arena – which hosts concerts and shows – will have places for people to stay cool.

“In the outdoor arena our fans are under the roof,” Angelo said. “The long side is not under a roof, but the bulk of our seating for the outdoor area is under the roof with fans.”

Several family areas including the petting zoo will have tents close by where people can duck into for some shade.

“I feel that if someone wants to get out of the sun and heat, we offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fair and still be under a roof,” Angelo said. “I feel like we have a nice variety of places people can go and enjoy the shade.”