The goal for the Fair’s future, according to Fair representatives, is to reach sustainability—without aid from the County.

At the Fair’s budget hearing before the County Board on Thursday, a five percent decrease in funding from last year was approved. It’s a trend that will continue as time moves forward, on a path toward zero County funding.

“The decrease is do-able with what the Fair has in mind for growth,” said Lynn Feldman with UW-Extension, who led a session earlier this week seeking ideas for next year’s fair.

Last November, there was a ‘visioning session’ that resulted in the formation of five committees dedicated to the strategic planning of the Oneida County Fair.

“This is the start of looking long-term,” Feldman said. She added that the Fair was ‘in the black,’ after the recent 2015 fair, which means they are on target for next year, but it will take innovative ideas to carry the fair moving forward.

The main targets that Fair committees are looking at are Fair infrastructure, sponsorship for various aspects and community involvement moving forward.

“There’s a lot to be done, but there are ideas being discussed that will naturally build the Fair,” Feldman said.