by Alex Franqui
The York Fair has opened in early September every year for the past two hundred and fifty four years. Recently the general manager of the York Fair General Manager, Mike Froehlich announced that it will be opening in July instead of September starting in 2020. The fair will still run from September 6 to September 15 in 2019.
One of the main reasons for the change is because the potential of higher quality concerts due to things like nice weather and the absence of school.
In addition, Communications director Brianna Holmes said that moving the fair to July will increase attendance since most people do not have school and have much more flexible schedules in the summer. The current COO of the York Fair, Brian, Blaire plans on incorporating new and old traditions into the fair in an attempt to give the fair a new look while providing a quality experience.
There was a mixed reaction on social media concerning this change. Some people love this idea because of the weather and the flexibility while others don’t because of the complications involving agriculture. One in particular was about the contest they hold to see who can grow the biggest pumpkin that year, but with less time to grow the pumpkins could end up being a little less impressive. York Suburban student Kiyanna Dowling said “I think moving it to July will be better and bring in more people. The warm weather will make the fair more enjoyable and give kids something to look forward to in the summer”. As said York Suburban student Seth Zerne “The weather in July is way better the weather in August which is too hot, and no one is in school so it’ll be easier to go meaning more people will go.”
The attitude concerning the change in opening time for the fair has been positive. Judging from the statements made by both Blaire and Holmes, the fair looks to be making a comeback with this new change and could possibly return the York Fair to its former glory, only time will tell whether this change is as impactful as Blaire claims it to be.