Georgia National Fairgrounds planners hoping to bring sporting events to Perry

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Planners at the Georgia National Fairgrounds are looking to bring more sporting events to Perry. on the heels of this year’s Dogwood Festival, the fairgrounds’ director says she’d like to see different activities and events fill the site’s calendar.

It usually isn’t quiet at the fairgrounds. 

Thousands make their way there throughout the year. Stacy Campbell says she wants even more foot traffic. 

“There’s always room to grow,” Campbell said. “We obviously are very busy throughout the year, but although we might be hosting one event in one of our buildings or in one of the barns, we always have several that are still available.”

The director of communications says she isn’t out to steal an event from any other part of the state, but she wants to see what’s out there.

“We do have the potential to host them. So other parts of the state that might not be as centrally located, or might not have as much to offer, we would love to be able to host those here,” Campbell said. 

Members of the newly-formed sports council say there’s enough space at the fairgrounds say there’s enough space for just about anything and other things that can bring people to the city of Perry. Planners say it could be good for the economy. 

“Cheerleading competitions to gymnastics meets to races and cycling events,” Sandi Smeltzer, the executive director of Discover Perry, said. 

Members of the council which include representatives from Perry’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, the fairgrounds, and Perry’s parks and recreation department, says sporting events might be the big draw.
 
“That’s not only in the livestock side, but also our commercial event side,” Campbell said. 

She adds a large-scale competition event would bring visitors not only to the fairgrounds but into the city — a boost for tourism dollars. 

“For the other part of the year we can pretty much bring in something for one of the other buildings and still be able to book them and adequately serve them,” Campbell said. 

The sports council meets bi-monthly to discuss how they’ll bring a big event to the city. The group is heading to a trade show at the end of April to meet with several sponsors to see which events the fairgrounds can hold.