Future of Georgia State Fair Still Undecided

After last week’s meeting to discuss the future of the Georgia State Fair, the Macon Exchange Club and board of directors decided to postpone the decision for another 30 days.

“There were years when this fair made several hundred dollars in net profits, back in it’s glory days,” says president Don Johstono, Georgia State Fair.

Despite an increase in attendance at this year’s event, those days of glory still remain a distant memory.

“This last spring may very well have been the last edition of the Georgia State Fair,” says Johstono.

Residents say, losing the annual event would leave a hole in the hearts of middle Georgians.

“It would devastate people,” says Darius Gipson, Macon.

“Well, I hate the fact that it would leave Macon, ever since I was a kid we would always go to the fair at Central City Park,” Jimmy Barnett, Macon.

Those grounds may never host another fair again. Since 1851, Macon has been home to the festival, and if it doesn’t come back next year, the city will not only lose a big piece of it’s history, but a huge contribution to the local economy.

“Like a lot of county run fairs and fairs that are run by civic clubs and service clubs, the proceeds from this fair, when we actually have proceeds again, go back into the community,” says Johstono.

Even though there were more feet on the fairgrounds, the lack of profit may be what closes the gates permanently.

“There’s so many things that Macon offers that have fallen by the wayside. I hate to see yet another thing go away. Especially something that’s got that kind of history and kind of significance to our community,” says Johstono.

On August 18th, the exchange club of Macon will meet to make a final decision. If they do decide to keep the fair open for another year, residents can expect the celebration at Central City Park to be up and running next spring.