YMBL Will Consider Rescheduling South Texas Fair

KFDM News has learned the board of directors of the Young Men's Business League is scheduled to meet Thursday night to consider changing the date of the South Texas State Fair from October to March or April.

That would place the event well beyond hurricane season.

The impact of Hurricane Ike prompted the YMBL to cancel this year's fair and the same thing happened in 2005 after Hurricane Rita.  

This year's fair was scheduled to begin October 16, 2008 which would have been Thursday. It would have run through October 26.

However, the fairgrounds and other parts of the complex have been filled with equipment and vehicles belonging to FEMA and the Corps of Engineers, making it impossible to use for the fair.

The YMBL president made the announcement during a news conference last month at the organization's office at Ford Park.

The organization said Hurricane Ike has had a big impact on people's finances and that was the most important factor in the YMBL's decision to cancel the fair.

The organization says the fair should not be a top priority as people rebuild their lives.

Revenue from the fair allows the YMBL to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to organizations in Southeast Texas that rely on the money to help the public.

KFDM News has learned the cancellation of the fair twice since 2005 has prompted the board to consider moving the event from October to the spring, some time in March or April.  

The goal is to find a time when severe weather is less likely to cause the cancellation of the entire fair.

The 21 member board would have to approve the change as would Jefferson County Commissioners.

If approved, the first spring-time South Texas State Fair would open its gates in 2009, and the fair would continue as a spring-time event in the future. 

The board is scheduled to meet Thursday night to discuss the possibility of moving the fair and of course, KFDM will be there to report on the meeting.