It's about as taboo as talking about consolidating schools.
But for the past few years, a tight circle of county fair board members from across the state has been pondering the "what ifs" associated with merging fairs as a way to combat rising costs and stagnant attendance.
So far, the notion remains just talk and no fair in Ohio has folded or merged in more than 30 years, according to Theresa Call, an administrator with the Ohio Fair Managers Association.
"We've had seminars on this topic the past two years," Call said. "I think this is something that could be coming down the road for a lot of fairs. It is a really good possibility, not only for independent fairs and county fairs, but with county fairs (merging with) other county fairs."
Washington County, which boasts three agricultural fairs each year, is one of just six counties in the state with more than one fair, according to the fair managers association Web site.
The 50th annual Waterford Community Fair wrapped up last weekend; the Washington County Fair is set for Labor Day weekend; and the Barlow Fair will be held Sept. 24 to 27.
There's no official talk about combining the local fairs, and those associated with the events say they have no interest in doing so.
"There's no doubt merging would help us out, but it would kill your independent and community fairs," said Steve Tornes, president of Washington County Fair Board. "Any time this is ever mentioned, you might as well be saying bad words. No one wants the thought of it."
Washington County Fair joined the other local fairs this year in not hiring a major musical act. It was just another way the groups have fought to help cut costs in recent years.
"(With a merge), we might be able to go out and find bigger and better talent for our fair, but even with a top-notch band, we can't make our money back even if every seat in the grandstand is filled," Tornes said. "We don't have the capacity."
The backbone of nearly every county and local fair are the hundreds of 4-H projects on display, especially those involving market animals. The three local fairs each feature different animals.
Continued state funding cuts are threatening to close 4-H programs in several counties. Although Washington County's program has been reduced, it is surviving, local officials say. In some counties, levies have been required to keep the programs going.
Without the projects, it could lead some counties to merge fairs.
"That's a real concern and a more likely scenario," Tornes said. "There has been talk about counties joining - even tri-county fairs. But that's all just talk right now."
Tornes said he hasn't been approached by any of the surrounding counties concerning such a move.
That, too, could be a boost to the county fair, which has seen attendance dip from an average of 33,000 about 10 to 15 years ago to roughly 17,000 last year.
Marietta resident Jesse Nutter, 29, said she always loved attending the fair as a child. These days, she says, she "can take it or leave it."
"Unless they have something really big going on, I'm probably not going to go," she said. "It's just gotten so expensive."
Tornes and other local fair officials admit they have struggled with balancing entertainment and admission pricing.
Carolyn Allen, treasurer for the past 30 years at the Waterford Community Fair, said that just a few years ago the fair was on the verge of going under.
"Up until the last five or six years, things were really tight," she said. "We were practically living year to year. Since then we've been able to come out a little ahead."
Allen said a positive attitude among fair board members at Waterford kept the fair alive.
"There's always been good enthusiasm," she said.
In lieu of a top entertainer this year, the Waterford fair offered free rides for children on opening night. The fair posted record attendance, with more than 12,000 people passing though the gates over the weekend.
Allen said the three Washington County fairs are each unique and able to survive on their own.
"I don't think we compete or hurt one another," she said. "Ours is more of a family reunion and geared as such."
Bradley Payne, a board member at the Barlow Fair, said his community fair is also something of a homecoming.
"Our fair is by no means one of these big booming fairs with 100,000 in attendance," he said. "So I think we're less exposed to the cyclical economic downturn we're seeing. We're a small community- and somewhat county-based fair that doesn't really change a whole lot from year to year."
This year, the fair has added one more day to the schedule.
"We've had a lot of requests to extend the fair," Payne said. "It seems each year there is another group that wants to be a part of the fair, or that there's another event the community has requested."
Payne said he would be against merging the local fairs.
"It would destroy the character of our fairs," he said. "One fair would have to be highly commercialized, just because of the size. And I'm not sure anyone has the adequate facilities to take care of something that big."
Eric Barrett, with Ohio State University Extension, agreed with Payne. He said Washington County's 4-H program consistently produces around 600 animal projects - among the most in the state. He said it would be impractical to try to get all of those animals at one facility.
"It would make things a lot simpler for us," Barrett said. "But with three fairs, it gives us an opportunity to meet with everyone, recruit for our programs and have time to educate."
