After a few years of financial troubles, the Macon County Fair is making a comeback. As recently as 2014, the fair board was around $400,000 in debt and was forced to make the fair as ‘bare-bones’ as possible.
The usual agricultural and fair events like the queen pageant and live entertainment were cut, turning it instead into a “Fairground Festival.”
Since the fair returned in 2015, the debt load has continued to reduce. Teresa McWilliams, Macon County Fair treasurer, told the Herald & Review that this year, the board was able to bring the debt down to just $20,000.
The board kept the popular attractions, like demolition derby and tractor pulls, but cut back on grandstand events. One thing the board wants to eventually bring back is more livestock shows. This year saw the return of the swine show, but the last time the Macon County Fair had multiple shows, they couldn’t even pay the prize money because of the debt.