NEA District Fair Kicks Off

“One, Two, Three.”

With those words as officials cut a ribbon Monday, the NEA District Fair started as fair officials are hopeful for a large crowd this year.

People were busy setting up booths Monday morning as the fair runs through Saturday night. Fair manager Mitch Johnson, who also serves on the Jonesboro City Council, said the six-day event gives people an opportunity to see exhibits and meet with friends. There is also an economic impact from the fair, Johnson said.

The fair had at least 50 booths set up as of Monday, with businesses and politicians alike running around the NEA Exposition Center getting ready. The businesses get an opportunity to meet future customers, who will visit Jonesboro from a 16-county area, Johnson said.

“With 65,000 people (expected to attend the fair this year) for $300, that’s pretty cheap advertising,” Johnson said of the return on investment.

The fair has had its fare share of issues in the past year or so. The fair association, which operates as the Northeast Arkansas District Fair, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in federal court last October, citing millions owed to nearly two dozen creditors.

United States Bankruptcy Judge Phyllis M. Jones approved a bankruptcy plan of liquidation for the Craighead County Fair Association on July 9.

On a more positive note, the fair is not the only event set this week in Jonesboro. The Jonesboro BBQ festival is also this weekend, leading to more people visiting.

Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Mark Young said it has been a very busy last few weeks in Jonesboro. After a road game at USC, ASU hosted back-to-back home games against Missouri and Missouri State. Young said the area hotels were full the last two weeks with fans, who also visited downtown Jonesboro and several other landmarks.

Young said both events are likely to benefit from good weather this week. The fair had about 60,000 people attend in 2013. The number dropped to about 54,000 in 2014 due to heavy rains, Johnson said. Young said the good weather will help the economic impact as well.

One of the people who attended the ribbon cutting Monday was Craighead County Collector Marsha Phillips, who celebrated her birthday Monday. She said the fair gives people a chance to enjoy the region’s quality of life.

“I like the excitement and the food,” Phillips said, noting she rides a lot of the rides at the fair.

The schedule of events for the fair can be found here.