The Santa Rosa County Fair Association, (SRCFA), a nonprofit corporation in the Santa Rosa County for 20 years is working to bolster how it serves residents, according to Kim Cato-Chalmers, volunteer with the association. The SRCFA’s mission is to operate public fairs and expositions for the benefit and development of educational, agricultural, horticultural, livestock and other state and county resources, according to its last Form 990, the IRS tax return for exempt organizations. With achieving the lease of the land on Bobby Brown Road, Cato-Chalmers said the SRCFA can host events throughout the year. “Having a home opens opportunities,” she said.
Cato-Chalmers recently organized the first SRCFA sponsored Veterans Memorial 5K Run from the Peter Prince Airport to the fairgrounds. She said the association is considering hosting another in May, but the spring event would be boot camp style with obstacles. With the run ending in a concert, Cato-Chalmers said the grounds are capable of hosting expos or renaissance fairs. “I would love to see a car show,” she said.
Next year’s plans, according to Cato-Chalmers, focus on the month of October. She said the SRCFA is working on what they’re referring to as the three H’s: a haunted house, haunted hayride, and haystackular. The East Milton Youth Association already partners with the SRCFA, Cato-Chalmers said, for the hayride.
Growth for the fair has had its bumps, however. The weather earlier this year left the grounds wet and muddy, keeping guest numbers down, Cato-Chalmers said. The fair also suffered sponsorship loss for supporting education. Lisa Enfinger, SRCFA board member said, “Our scholarship program lost sponsorship two years ago. We have given $1,000 scholarships in the past to deserving students who participate in the SRC Fair. We are currently looking for a sponsor and hope to renew the program for this year's fair.”
Prudence Caskey, SRC 4-H agent said, “SRC 4-H and the fair have always worked closely together to help highlight the youth and their projects, whether livestock or individual exhibits, such as their crafts or photography.” Caskey also spoke of the opportunity her 4-H students had, partnering with the Future Farmers of America, to give East Milton Elementary Exceptional Student Education (ESE) a fair experience.
“We worked with Terry Paschall, the principal there. A lot of those kids have sensory issues so going to the fair is never an option. We took the fair and toned it down for them to be able to pet a chicken or pet a rabbit without all the flashing and noise and music and people. It was a nice opportunity for them to be able to experience something they would not have been able to,” she said.
Cato-Chalmers said, “(The SRCFA) is a true 501(c)3, a not for profit that gives back. It’s not just about the commercialized midway.” She said she was drawn to working with the SRCFA members because they’re community minded people.
For the future, Cato-Chalmers said, “It would be good to get a meeting hall. I’m a big proponent (of that).” Enfinger said the SRCFA has designs for additional buildings in the future. However, she said, “At this point, it is all dependant on funding.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa Fair Association develops resources for community