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Clark County Ag Society bans sale of confederate flag at fairgrounds

CLARK COUNTY — The sale or display for sale of hate speech, including the Confederate flag, is no longer allowed at the Clark County Fairgrounds --according to a policy adopted by the Clark County Agricultural Society on Thursday night.

The society adopted the policy after the Clark County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution asking the society to do so earlier this week.

The Commission owns the fairgrounds, while the society manages the operations of it.

The policy essentially bans any vendor or person from selling a Confederate-flag-themed piece of merchandise, or other article that exhibits hate speech, from being sold or advertised that it is being sold at the Clark County Fairgrounds, Champions Park or the Clark County Fair year-round.

“We believe it makes sense to eliminate the sale from any place that’s county property and put the focus on youth, especially with the Clark County Fair,” said Clark County Commissioner Melanie Flax Wilt.

Further action by the agricultural society would be needed to ban someone attending the fair from wearing a Confederate t-shirt or other clothing – which is not part of the policy that was adopted.

Clark County Fairgrounds Executive Director Dean Blair said he hopes the move will make the fairgrounds more inclusive for everyone.

“We were very happy to do this quickly and effectively at the request of the commissioners and get out in front of this before the fair occurs,” he said. “We want to be sensitive to everyone in the county.”

The fair is scaled down this year to a junior fair with animal exhibitors and a handful of concessions due to COVID-19.

The first day will be July 24 and will only extend five days instead of the typical eight.

There will be no admission charge this year.

The fair will take a financial hit because of the pandemic, but the costs are being offset with funds from Gov. Mike DeWine’s Office and the Clark County Convention Facilities Authority.

Jenna Lawson

Jenna Lawson

I grew up in Springfield and I'm a big fan of all things Springfield, including Schuler's & the Clark County Fair. A career in journalism never really was a serious thought until the end of high school. You just have epiphanies sometimes, and that's the only way I can explain why I got into this line of work – but I'm happier for it!

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