GA Agricultural Exposition Authority discusses Fair traffic, spacing issues

The Georgia National Fair broke new records this year with a total attendance of 565,533 visitors. The fair also broke three individual day attendance records, with 66,314 visitors Thursday, October 10, 74,199 for Friday, October 11, and 96,910 for Saturday, October 12. While the staff and the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority were elated with breaking records, both met Wednesday to discuss traffic flow and spacing issues.

Stephen Shimp, executive director for the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, said Oct. 12 was the biggest day that also came with some challenges.

“I want to congratulate and give a big thank you to all of our staff,” Shimp said. “This definitely, in my opinion, was the best fair yet. I’m blown away by our staff with having several thousands of visitors come through those gates and at the beginning of each day you wouldn’t guess that many came through because of how hard the staff worked to clean it up. We are also grateful to have not had any major incidents this year thanks to Chief Slappy, his team and our partnership with the local law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies.”

Shimp said the only issues staff faced were the traffic flow and crowding at the midway, where the rides are located.

“On the three days we broke records, traffic, of course, was extremely heavy,” Shimp said. “I know it was taking folks about two hours to park and get in as well as leave. And we know the frustrations, but it is out of our control. However Chief Slappy and his team are working with the Georgia Department of Transportation and Georgia State Patrol to look at different traffic flow routes. We hope to have a solution within the beginning of the New Year. But one solution we have for right now is to move all horse shows to the new east arena, relieving traffic flow behind Reaves Arena and east road. The mutton busting will also be moved to the covered horse arena directly behind Reaves Arena and VIP parking moved to the paved area south of Reaves.”

Shimp then made a proposal to the Authority concerning the midway, which is to expand and move the children’s ride to its own area outside of the midway. Shimp said it would be located just south of the west gate lake and would be called “Kiddy Land.”

“Moving the children’s rides will open up the midway to add additional rides (minimum of four adult rides) to accommodate the large crowds,” Shimp said. “The cost of this project is around $85,000, which is to be partially funded by Reithoffer and the rest from our operating reserves. We feel this will also bring a little more relief for the parents of small children as well.”

The Authority approved unanimously Shimp’s proposal, allowing staff to move forward with the midway expansion. Shimp also proposed bringing a second agrilift to the Fairgrounds. He said the location would be the east gate from north of Reaves Arena.

“We have found from the closest parking space in the east lot is a half mile walk to the clock tower,” Shimp said. “The addition of this agrilift will give people an option to ease the walk, both coming and going. It will also make the touring of the east end of the fair more attractive to those entering other gates. Our goal is to spread people out and ease the crowd.”

Some Authority members had concerns of where the agrilift would be placed, but agreed for Shimp and staff to review the matter and bring it back for a vote at the next meeting. Foster Rhodes, chairman of the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority, thanked Shimp and the staff for a successful fair.

“I too want to thank the staff for another successful fair,” Rhodes said. “Without their hard work, we wouldn’t have the success we have today. And we thank all of our visitors. I know there were some frustrations, but rest assure we are working to improve all areas of concerns.”