Kalamazoo County’s parks department is asking commissioners to pick a direction for the 2027 county fair after three rounds of bidding failed to land a traditional carnival vendor.
Parks & Expo Center Director David Rachowicz told the County Committee of the Whole on September 1 that the department has pursued a carnival company through standard bidding and direct outreach over the past year and a half. “We’ve not been successful,” he said. Landing one now, he said, would likely mean shifting the fair’s dates to early summer or late fall and accepting only a one-year commitment, with no guarantee of a longer-term partner.
According to their report, this year’s five-day fair drew an estimated 23,893 people, an increase over recent years, along with more than 500 4-H animals, four live shows, and 25 performances across two stages. County staff credited a broader group effort for the turnout, citing 20 sponsors and donors, more than two dozen community partners, and support from 11 county departments. Special turnout days drew roughly 450 seniors, 123 veterans, and 71 county employees with their families. Saturday’s rodeo alone drew close to 1,900 attendees. Staff said the fair came in ahead of its expenses for the year.
Rachowicz laid out three paths for 2027: continue at this year’s funding and format for a third year, prioritize securing a carnival vendor at a substantially higher cost and with a changed schedule, or scale back to a 4-H-only showcase similar to the format used before this year’s expansion. The department is asking commissioners for direction by September 15.
