Debbie Croft: Community interest key to future of Mariposa County Fairgrounds

Last in a series.

Some Mariposa residents are concerned that our fairgrounds will close, but Friends of the Fairgrounds board members hope to help residents realize the seriousness of the situation. (For the first part of this series, see last week’s column.)

Buz Arnold teaches agriculture at Mariposa County High School. He’s also the president of Mariposa’s Friends of the Fairgrounds.

The evening I arrived for the FOF board meeting in February, the high school classroom was empty. After a few minutes board members trickled in from a nearby room. Arnold’s students had prepared dinner from vegetables they grew as a class project. Board members suggested each meeting should start with a complimentary dinner.

FOF board member Larry Vilott is a career art director/designer/project manager. He is thrilled to bring the benefit of that experience, accompanied by a lot of enthusiasm, to the board and its efforts. “Relationships run deep here, and memories are long,” says Vilott.

He and his wife both come from small communities and they see the value of securing an environment where residents can celebrate their connectedness.

Codie Hart and his wife Kathy’s three children grew up being involved with 4-H. Hart has been an adult leader with 4-H for 24 years, and was president of the Mariposa County 4-H organization for six years. He is a Navy veteran, and a lieutenant with the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department. Hart is also a past president of both the Deputy Sheriff’s Association and the Sheriff”s Management Association.

“FFA and 4-H are two organizations providing unequaled training and experience for young people,” says Hart. “It is not an understatement to say the fairgrounds is integral to their function.”

Mariposa isn’t the only county struggling to keep its fairgrounds financially solvent. But solutions to the funding crisis can vary based on region and community demographics.

Several months ago, Modoc County made the decision to “winterize” its fairgrounds by closing temporarily. Early this year officials announced permanent closure of the fairgrounds (from a recent article by the California Farm Bureau Federation). Modoc is a rural county in the far northeastern corner of the state.

According to Tulare County Fair CEO Pamela Fyock, a foundation was started to engage county residents and generate funding for continuing operations.

Typical structural and property issues at our fairgrounds include old plumbing, worn roofing on buildings (that can be rented for events) and outdated (even condemned) livestock show rings. Mariposa’s fairgrounds has 36 acres of landscape to maintain.

Officials with county fairgrounds in danger of closing are asking where the funds and labor will come from.

Mariposa’s residents can be grateful that FOF is in capable hands. Multiple decades of community service and career experience combined are represented among the board members.

Karen Verdugo, FOF board treasurer, has a bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior from the University of San Francisco. She was customer service manager for the western region of General Cable; she has held office with several community service organizations.

The vice president of FOF is Sterling Cramer, a longtime Mariposa resident and 1981 graduate of Mariposa County High School. His list of skills and credentials includes serving as a Mariposa County Drug and Alcohol Advisory board member; former president of the Mariposa Sheriff’s Management Association; former MCHS track coach; Navy veteran; and American Cancer Society team captain at Relay for Life, which was held at Mariposa’s fairgrounds for the past nine years.

Marshall Long, Mariposa County supervisor for District 3, also attended the February meeting. Discussion revolved around upcoming events not related to the annual fair, and the need for free labor and equipment. Long offered to donate six two-way radios and a charger he’s no longer using at his ranch.

Also during the meeting, conversation turned to a couple of Bay Area groups that have contacted the fairgrounds to inquire about renting facilities.

A lot of laughter and connection filled the hour. These community members not only care about their fairgrounds, they care about each other and their families.

Mariposa County Fairgrounds CEO Brian Bullis says, “The intent of FOF is to ensure our fairgrounds will continue to fulfill its vital role … and to preserve its place as a part of the fabric of our mountain community.”

Bullis and the board are pleased with the overwhelming community support evidenced in the last five years, and they’re determined to keep the fairgrounds’ doors open. With local support, they’ll see success and provide a model for other counties.

Learn more at www.mariposafof.com.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 9:34 PM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Community interest key to future of Mariposa County Fairgrounds."