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Board members, at their Feb. 1 meeting, discussed entertainment options for the annual summer festival and decided, rather than hiring an out-of-town performer, they wanted to shine the spotlight on talent locally.

ÒIf we could get some live entertainment it would be really a great addition to our fair,Ó board member Gloria Campbell said. Campbell was researching the possibility of hiring a singer/entertainer who provided audience entertainment with his shows. His rates were high, she said, but in the personal letter he wrote, he indicated he would be willing to work with the board.

Member Joe Variot took her suggestion one step further by adding the local Òbattle of the bandsÓ concept.

ÒI think we could do a Òbattle of the bandsÓ of local Antrim County youth and we could muster up some bands for a show,Ó he said. ÒThere is a lot of talent within the county and the youth and I think they would like the chance to be put into the spotlight.Ó

While rules are still in the formulation stages, members have tentatively agreed to have the event on Thursday, Aug. 9 at the fairgrounds. Thursday night was deemed to be the best day, as Friday started the livestock judging and Saturday was the fairÕs annual Òfamily dayÓ events which in the past have brought large crowds to the Craven Park grounds.

Board members discussed the option of allowing the bands to perform for a set time, to be decided after entries are received. Fliers will be placed in music stores and at local high schools to generate interest in the concept.

Awards under consideration include a traveling trophy, which would be presented to the winner, smaller trophies or a small plaque which could be placed on the plaque at a permanent location.

In other business, members learned the fairÕs entry deadline might be moved up one week to allow staff to input entries quicker. Last yearÕs deadline was July 28, Campbell said, adding it took a lot of time to get the entries inputted into the fairÕs computer program.

ÒI would think that we would need to have it bumped up at least a week, probably either to the middle or the end of May,Ó she said.

Members also discussed the proposed guidelines for the fairÕs annual cover contest. Members are eager to get local art students from the area schools involved again this year, with the cover to include one color. The board could make the cover decision at their next meeting on April 5 at 7 p.m. in the county office building.