HomeMy WebLinkAboutTourism & Fair Committee - Minutes - 2/26/2024
Minutes of the
Monday, February 26, 2024, at 4:30 PM
EOC
Members Present: Larry Fickbohm, James Crandall, Jeremy Oswald, Steve Sandstrom, and John
Rautio
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Mary D. Motiff, Tourism Director; David Eades, Fair Coordinator
I. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Fickbohm at 4:30pm.
II. Motion Regarding October 12, 2023, Tourism-Fair Committee Meeting Minutes:
Motion to approve July minutes by Sandstrom, seconded by Crandall, motion carried.
III. Public Comment: – Limited to 3 minutes per person. – None
IV. Budget Review:
Motiff presented the budget and noted that overall we are on track and should come in under
budget. There is still an outstanding bill for work done by the Bayfield County Highway
Department during the Fair. This money may be paid out of a general Highway fund shared by
all Departments, but even if it needs to be paid from our department budget we will still be
under budget. Crandall questioned why we were over in a few accounts, Motiff explained that it
was due to increased maintenance and repairs of vehicles and the purchase of ribbons for the
Fair.
V. Discussion and Possible Action on Fair Planning
A. Report from Fair Convention
Motiff and Eades described meeting with numerous vendors at the convention and the
process of choosing a bull riding company as the grandstand event on Friday. Prices have
gone up for entertainment and many of the options available were for music
entertainment. We currently do not have the infrastructure to accommodate music
with the cost of having to rent a stage and sound.
B. Entertainment Options
Motiff outlined the proposed entertainment for the Fair. Friday grandstand will be Bull
Riding and Barrel Racing with Mutton Busting and Saturday will be a Tuff Truck
competition that we will run with the help of some local people from Iron River.
Grounds entertainment will include face painting, a caricature painter, a magician/juggler,
bean bag toss games, mini golf, and pickle ball. Possibility of a 3 on 3 Basketball
Tournament.
Motion to approve the entertainment by Crandall, second by Rautio. Motion carried.
VI. Update from Fair Coordinator on Market Sale
Eades gave an overview of how the Market Sale works at the Fair. The sale is run by Bayfield
County 4-H and is very successful. The Market Sale retains ten percent of the sales, and the
rest goes back to the exhibitors. The Market Sale has continually invested back into the
Fairgrounds to improve infrastructure. Eades spoke with UW Extension and DATCP at the
convention and there was no concern about how the sale is run or managed. Almost all Fairs in
the State have a formal agreement with their Market Sale (Livestock Sale) groups; we are one
of only three counties that do not have a formal agreement in place. This agreement would not
change how the market sale is run, but would simply clarify the relationship between the
Market Sale Committee and the Bayfield County Fair and outline the details.
This year the Market Sale Committee would like to purchase a set of new bleachers and donate
them to the Fair, matching the set already in the Market Sale Pavilion. They would also like to
paint the interior of the Beef Barn. The Tourism/Fair committee did not have any issues with
this as long as the work being done is coordinated with Fair staff and meets all County
guidelines.
VII. Building and Grounds Update
Discussion took place on how to use the Fairgrounds as a campground now that it is State
certified. Camping is currently allowed during the Fair and on days that an outside group rents
the grounds for an event. Eades will look into a pilot program using the Fairgrounds as overflow
for the County run campgrounds. The Fairgrounds will still not be open to the public for
camping but just as overflow when the County campgrounds are full; logistics to be worked out
with the Forestry and Parks Department.
VIII. Discussion and Possible Action on 2024 Camping Rules:
Eades presented the draft revised camping rules. The committee asked to have some legal
verbiage to be added concerning the carrying of firearms on the Fairgrounds. Motion to
approve, with change, by Sandstrom, seconded by Crandall. Motion carried.
IX. Tourism Report from Director
A. Department Goals & Objectives with Activities:
Motiff gave a report on tourism activities. Most energy spent recently on training in new
staff member, Keldi Merton, and getting the Visitor Guide completed. Motiff met with
Platypus Marketing and is working on an updated marketing plan that more fully utilizes
Facebook and Instagram Reels. Motiff also noted that the Photo/Video Library images
have been received and the next step is to upload them to the Flickr account.
B. Measurable Data Review including Analytics & Sales Tax:
Motiff presented current sales tax numbers which continue to set records from month
to month despite the lack of winter weather. Motiff stated that there is financial
assistance from the State for those impacted by the lack of snow.
Fickbohm left to attend another meeting and Sandstrom took over at 5:45pm
X. Discussion and Possible Action on Tourism Goals and Objectives
Motiff reviewed the two goals for Tourism:
A. Increase Visitor Spending in Bayfield County
B. Increase coordination and collaboration with area chambers, business associations,
other nonprofit organizations, and government entities.
Crandall expressed the importance of partnerships. Committee members agreed that the
goals were still relevant, and no action was taken to change them.
XI. Future Agenda Items and Next Meeting Date
Follow up on campground use and firearms verbiage. Next meeting date set for May 7, 2024, at
4:00pm in the EOC room of the Annex.
XII. Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned at 6:10pm by Sandstrom.
Respectfully submitted by:
Mary D. Motiff
Director, Tourism & Fair