Impact of Town Fair's New Location Uncertain
After 15 town fairs held in Perry Hall, a rebranded event is planned for July 14 in Middle River.
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Location, location, location.
Volunteers are just days away from discovering how a Middle River zip code will impact attendance at the Town Fair, known in past years as the Perry Hall/White Marsh Town Fair.
"It's just three miles away from Perry Hall—just three miles," said Lynn Richardson, president of the Perry Hall/White Marsh Business Association and the fair's head organizer. "I tell people in Perry Hall that it's not about taking anything away from them. It's about sharing the event with more communities."
But it's not just the geography that's changing this year. Fair organizers have also removed both Perry Hall and White Marsh from the fair's official name. Richardson said the name change—advertised on the website, posters and even a billboard—was part of an effort to increase the fair's regional appeal.
Richardson first announced in January that the 2012 fair would be held on July 14 at Baltimore Crossroads @95. The newly built shopping center is located along White Marsh Boulevard (MD Route 43) in Middle River, bordering an area known as White Marsh's commercial district.
The new fairgrounds, however, came as a shock to many past attendees. All previous fairs—15 total—have been held at Perry Hall venues, including Perry Hall Middle School, Perry Hall High School and Honeygo Village Center.
Several Perry Hall Patch readers—on the Patch website, as well as its Facebook page—threatened to boycott the fair, while others complained that the fair had lost touch with its small town roots.
One commenter, listed as Eric Martin, wrote in January: "If it's in Middle River, or anywhere other than a Perry Hall venue, I'll skip it. Hope those who made this awful decision have a good time by themselves."
But Richardson recently told Patch that threats of boycotts and poor attendance have lost their sting over the past six months.
The fair has sold out its vendor space, around 200 spots, and retained many of the same Perry Hall businesses that had previously participated.
With expanded regional advertising and easy access to the new location from White Marsh Boulevard and Interstate 95, attendance may actually exceed last year's record-breaking crowd of more than 13,000, Richardson said.
It was last year's heavy crowds that contributed to conflict surrounding the 2011 fair at Honeygo Village Center. Parking and other property disputes pitted fair volunteers against shopping center managers. After holding the fair at the center in 2010 and 2011, Richardson said organizers no longer felt welcome.
Previously, the fair was ousted from its home at Perry Hall High School in 2009 due to a controversial Baltimore County schools facilities use policy, known as Rule 1300. It banned third-party use of school system property, meaning that groups and organization could not rent table space to vendors.
After a major revision to the rule in August 2011 allowed a PTSA craft show to return to Perry Hall High, some suggested the Perry Hall/White Marsh Town Fair follow suit.
Richardson, however, said issues with parking and school regulations would have prevented basic fair attractions like a petting zoo and moon bounce. It was then that the planning committee turned to the new Baltimore Crossroads @95.
"They have been fabulous to work with. They have bent over backwards for us. There is going to be plenty of easy parking and space," Richardson said.
County Councilman David Marks, who was involved in planning the first town fair at Perry Hall Middle School—initially known as the Perry Hall Town Fair—said he plans to support this year's event.
"I would have preferred a location in the heart of Perry Hall, but I understand the obstacles. I strongly encourage everyone to go and support these volunteers," Marks said. "It's still an opportunity to support many great Perry Hall causes and businesses."
Barbara Dingedahl, a longtime Perry Hall resident and fair attendee, said that after months of discussing the new location with family and friends, she believes the community should give the new fairgrounds a try.
"I went online to look at the set-up and it looks really nice," Dingedahl said. "I don't think people should boycott something before they've even given it a chance."
While Beth Olcott, another longtime Perry Hall resident, isn't encouraging others to skip the fair, she has no plans to attend on Saturday.
"What I liked about the Perry Hall Town Fair was you actually saw your neighbors. You saw people you hadn't seen in years. I don't know how many people from the Perry Hall area are even going to go," Olcott said.
Olcott said that seeing advertisements for this year's fair without Perry Hall or White Marsh in the name has been a jarring experience. She added that she believes either Perry Hall High School or Honeygo Run Regional Park remain ideal locations for the fairs.
"I understand that there are school and county regulations. Honestly, I blame the Perry Hall merchants who don't want it here. The Middle River merchants do. It's not Middle River's fault that we gave the fair to them," she added.
How do you think the town fair's location change from Perry Hall to Middle River will impact attendance? Are you planning to attend? Tell us in the comments.
In This article
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Perry Hall Middle School
4300 Ebenezer Rd, Nottingham, MD -
Perry Hall High School
4601 Ebenezer Rd, Nottingham, MD -
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David Marks
Joined Patch Wednesday, September 29, 2010 -
Honeygo Run Regional Park
9033 Honeygo Blvd, Perry Hall, MD
Gloria
4:55 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Once events get too big and lose the 'personal' touch, they aren't fun anymore.
Computer Techy
8:57 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
It's no longer in Perry hall or White Marsh. If anything, hold it at The Avenue or the parking lot of White Marsh Mall. You would think the extra traffic would be welcomed by the store owners and restaurants.
Spring Heeled Jack
7:37 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Good point!
Spring Heeled Jack
7:37 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Plus the Avenue has free shuttles already.
DS
9:40 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I think it is great - Honeygo got too jammed up - no parking - I am good with it.
Terri Y.
10:13 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I'm sure it will still draw a crowd, but suspect less people from Perry Hall will participate and more people from the Middle River, Chase area will attend.
Steve Johnson
7:10 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Which is why I won't go.
Spring Heeled Jack
7:39 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
My thoughts exactly. Its the new "Middle River Suburbs Fair" paid and promoted by its neighbor Perry Hall and White Marsh
James
3:19 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
If the event has become too large for the venue you need to relocate. You can never make everyone happy about relocating, but it is necessary. Think of it has been so successful over the years that it just grew too large for the area. If White Marsh and Perryhall weren't so populated and developed then there might have been more room for it to stay. A lot of the merchants are from the original area and people who don't support are only hurting themselves.
@ Steve - I guess people from Middle River-Chase aren't good enough for your fair
patrick pfarr
12:50 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Steve - we had a meeting and you're not invited.
Donald Bollhorst
10:36 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Don Bollhorst, President of the Perry Hall Business Assoc. from 1995 to 2002.
I was the founder of the first Perry Hall Town Fair at the PH Middle School in 1996
and although the fair has improved greatly over the last 15 years, I strongly believe
it belongs in Perry Hall and I am unhappy with this latest move to Crossroads.
Spring Heeled Jack
7:40 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
And we loved the way you promoted and ran your fairs; in our actual community. They were fun and easy to walk to.
Renee
12:20 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
It is no longer a town fair! Well, it may be a town fair, but which town? At first I was upset about the location, but then I was like I'll give it a try, but now I'm back to why? It's not our town fair that helps us bond as a community! Like I said, I think it is no longer a "town" fair. Now, it's just a fair, say a county fair. Very sad! Something that was a Perry Hall Town fair, became a Perry Hall/White Marsh Town Fair, and is now just a fair!
venu
9:08 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Thats exactly how I feel. People will gather anyway from around. Businesses will get what they look for. Organizers will count people and may say to themself that they are successful, seeing the crowds. But It's nothing to do with perry hall / white marsh residents. We lost the fair. Its a shame.
HLV
3:29 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
That sounds fairly fair.
Greg Redmer
6:20 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
It used to be about community spirit, now it's about the business association. Maybe it always was but now it's transparent.
Spring Heeled Jack
7:35 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Town fairs are about being in the center of a town or community so families can literally walk to them, while enjoying the neighborhood. They are designed to showcase the local homes, parks and businesses while drawing community spirit and respect for one another. It is not about driving miles off into an purely empty area to promote a new business venture NOT in your community. If that area wants to develop and find identity; they need to have their own town fair showcasing their Middle River suburb.
I for one will NOT be going this year. More lost revenue for the vendors. Last year we spent about $150 at the fair, plus found a home repair company promoting deals which we ended up going with.
Time for Lynn Richardson to resign! Shame on you and your pathetic attempts to coverup your blunder with excuses and dumb facts!
Betty R. Bednar
8:16 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Not in walking distance anymore for us older folks when we don't drive anymore.
Sue
11:44 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Sorry, will not be going. A "town fair" holds no attraction for me, whereas the "Perry Hall Town Fair" was in my community, showcased my community, was walkable from my community. If I want a non-Perry Hall fair, I'll attend the state fair in August. Way to put another nail in the coffin of Perry Hall, folks.
Joni Diedrich
11:49 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
I agree with keeping the town fair in the town, but I also understand that you have to go where you are wanted. I like the fair, and I will still be going.
Tim
12:30 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
"But Richardson recently told Patch that threats of boycotts and poor attendance have lost their sting over the past six months."
Maybe so, we'll see about the fiscal and attendance sting this Saturday. This Perry Hall family won't be attending for the first time in four years.
Just call it the Middle River fair, it is what it is.
HLV
12:50 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
As someone who has participated as a vendor in the fair for the past 10 years --- at the high school - Honeygo Center, I am THRILLED with the decision to move the venue to Crossroads, an ideal location with plenty of parking. I just wonder how many of the Perry Hallers who have their noses out of joint because the fair is moving ever even attended it in the first place.
HLV
12:59 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
PH High School said NO...
Honeygo Center said NO ...
White Marsh Mall said NO ...
the Avenue said NO ...
the Target shopping center said NO ...
Crossroads said YES, and have done everything they can to accomodate the needs of ALL communities and put out the welcome mat.
So, for those of you in Perry Hall who are so adamant about NOT attending this year (because you wouldn't be caught dead in (gasp) Middle River), all I can say is ta ta.
John Doe
1:11 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
HLV - I hope you do extremely well. Of course a vendor wants as much access and foot traffic as possible. I am newer to the area. What was the initial reason for having the Perry Hall Town Fair? If it was to make money, then I stand corrected.
Tim
2:16 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
ta ta to you too!
I said this way back when the decision was made. If the situation locally was as dire as you suggest, this should have been made public. Perhaps the uproar with not having it one year due to the above "NO"s might have lit the fire under the appropriate derrieres.
Instead, the association has taken the bullet for them. It is what it is. ta ta!
John Doe
1:02 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Oxford definition of a 'Town' - the central part of a neighbourhood, with its business or shopping area. I hope the fair is a great success, but this is why some locals have an issue.
HLV
3:26 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
One of the initial reasons for the "Town Fair" was an effort to formulate / strengthen a cohesive and connected community. Of course, our communities – Perry Hall, White Marsh, Rosedale, Kingsville, and the aforementioned (haughty gasps notwithstanding) Middle River, etc have grown exponentially in the last 15 years.
Although some vendors so sell merchandise (mostly local / homemade / crafted), the majority of vendors, at least in my experience, have been non-profit entities who give small items/educational material/health-related information and services – for free.
There is also music and refreshments, it is family and pet friendly and a great way to spend the afternoon.
John Doe
3:44 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Thanks.
Beth Olcott
1:57 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
to clarify...my personal disappointment, and decision to most likely forego attending the Fair this year, has NOTHING whatsoever to do with where it is being held. I work at Crossroads. The area is not one that I fear or hold any misgivings about. My disappointment is solely due to the fact that the PERRY HALL town fair is no longer in Perry Hall. But as I said before, I don't blame Middle River for opening their door to the fair. I just find it sad that Perry Hall couldn't find a place to have it, that would keep it in Perry Hall.
Jenny
4:23 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Goodness. If you have enjoyed the fair in the past, go as you will enjoy again. Stop sweating the small stuff and enjoy a facility that is excited to have the event and offers easier access and better parking. If you truly can't get over a new location just outside PH, then don't go but let it go and wish it well.
amh
8:44 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
We just lost something very special to us -"The Perry Hall Town Fair". Give the community time to mourn and accept it. :-(
Elaine Girardi
10:13 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Well said amh. That about sums it up!!!
MIL
9:38 am on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Maybe it's time for some of us to get together and organize a "real" PERRY HALL town fair. Let Middle River have our old fair. We'll get another one up and running just like it used to be.
John Doe
10:08 am on Thursday, July 12, 2012
I would be willing to be part of a committee to do this in late fall, early winter. Also, they shouldn't be calling it the 16th Town Fair - it is the 1st Middle River Town Fair.
ARG
2:36 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
I would also be interested in being on this committee. I grew up in Kingsville and know the importance of community. I am not ashamed to go to MIddle River i just believe that Kingsville and Perry Hall have a vested interest in the immediate community. Middle River is a bit far for them to be local community.
Emily Kimball
1:46 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Lynn Richardson, Town Fair organizer speaks out about recent push-back from residents with strong opinions about the fair's new location - http://patch.com/B-cdq9 Do you agree or disagree? Tell us in the comments.
ARG
4:54 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
i understand Lynn commented on the move, however we are unable to leave comments on her seperate comment. Was the parking lot of the old superfresh thought of? it is plenty of space and the parking lot of the perry hall shopping center could be used. I am surprised that the Honeygo Community Center would say no. This is a community event.
Mike Lurz
2:14 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
My family and I will not attend either, we were totally against this forced development, and now you want us to put on our happy face for a neighborhood fair that isn't even in our neighborhood anymore?...no thanks..BTW why are we not having it at the rec center...you know the place our tax dollars paid for?
Mike Lurz
2:18 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
HLV, I did not see a single poster say they weren't going because they wouldnt be caught dead in Middle River...you are making things up...with that in mind, perhaps we should have the town fair in Fells Point.
Tim
11:06 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
better drinking options there, to be honest.
Betty R. Bednar
5:00 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
According to the East County Times, Perry Hall Town Fair is now "The 16th Annual Town Fair". Not a mention of Perry Hall.
Tim
11:06 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
Fitting.
Spring Heeled Jack
12:37 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
Well they are being honest. Maybe Lynn should have addressed the public that is was no longer a Perry Hall/ White Marsh town fair, what was she hiding? Oh then again if Lynn said it was no longer the Perry Hall/ White Marsh Town Fair then why would she be wasting our communities time and money by working on a fair that is not basically our communities.
Sounds like some corruption going on here.
ARG
5:06 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
I think the real issue is the over development. At some point it has to stop.
Bill Howard
11:16 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Don't be petty folks! Go to to the fair. There will be a lot of small and medium businesses there. They are job creators and they give to the community. I will go because it is fun and a lot of good people there.
Tim
11:05 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
Jobs also get created when the middle class has money to spend.
Too bad it's been squeezed for the past 30 years.
You can't create jobs, size of business regardless, unless you have demand.
John Doe
10:56 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
Ms. Richardson stated in a prior blog - "The only downside is that it is not in a Perry Hall or White Marsh zip code" - well, there's the rub. That is why people are upset - no more/no less.
Spring Heeled Jack
12:41 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
Ms. Richardson. Why must the fair be bigger anyways (money)? Why not just limit it to LOCAL businesses and LOCAL arts and LOCAL promotions of our parks and public services? Oh thats right, because then it would be an Actual Town Fair.
Chris S.
8:18 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
What don't I get here. It's only Perry Hall, it is not Beverly Hills, stop turning your nose up at Middle River. I live in Perry Hall, but I will attend to support to local business. That is the point, if you think it is something else you are wrong. Get off your high horses and support local business. Stop complaining about having to drive another three miles to have better parking, and a larger area to enjoy yourself.
Other Tim
10:03 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Wasn't sure if I was going until I saw the weather. Now I'm going for sure. The showers will probably affect attendance.
I don't want all the naysayers claiming attendance was low simply because of location.
Other Tim
9:35 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Well, I braved the long drive and went to the fair. No rain, actually a pretty nice day. Lots of people, plenty of parking. (Lots of cops- were they expecting trouble?) Don't know for sure who was from Perry Hall or elsewhere, but no matter. Very few political booths, thank God.
$3 for a 10oz. plastic cup of beer seemed a little high, but maybe MD license fees forced that.
All in all, same as last year. Some booths from Perry Hall merchants, most from outside the area.
One thing I cannot quite understand. I bought something at the silent auction, and charged it to my credit card card. The receipt I got showed the Perry Hall White Marsh Business Association as an address in Rosedale, MD. ??
Greg Redmer Jr
9:31 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Maybe we could you all this open space our community is collecting for next year
Other Tim
10:08 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
I sem to recall this being the Perry Hall Town Fair. At some point it became the Perry Hall/ White Marsh Town Fair. Don't remember any complaints. Probably wouldn't be any complaints if it was held in Kingsville, either. Most people are upset simply because it is in Middle River. That is snobbery at its best.
alyssa
10:32 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
I attended Perry Hall High and someof these comments about the people of chaseb/middle river are very disturbing. Not everyone in this area are "bad" people. You need to just geg your panties out of the bunch they are in ....
John Doe
10:40 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
So if a President of something makes a decision we don't agree with, don't whine or complain? Let me go check out that healthcare blog...
J C Jackson
9:20 am on Sunday, July 15, 2012
As a resident pf Perry Hall I don't think we should actually drop the name PerryHall/ WhiteMarsh Town Fair and say it is the Middle River Town Fair. A contest to come up with a name that would not be "stepping on the toes" of either community, but make Perry Hall/White Marsh patrons feel they is still part of a "home town" feel in the community.
Angie Halcomb
1:30 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
The Crossroad area was very nice but it is not Perry Hall or White Marsh for that matter. I cannot understand why it is so difficult to find an area in either of these locations. Towson and Parkville close streets for their fairs. All that needs to be done is contact the proper authorities.