Carroll County will explore moving the Carroll County Fair to an approximately 20-acre lot on the Southwest Virginia Farmers’ Market property in Hillsville.

The Carroll County Board of Supervisors’ unanimously approved the motion made by Laurel Fork District Supervisor Andy Jackson at the board’s Oct. 14 meeting.

Jackson said the most recent annual fair held in September was a success because of the dedicated efforts of Fair Committee Chairman Kevin Semones, his staff, and volunteers in the community. Visitors came from far and near to participate in the fair’s many events, Jackson said. But Jackson said it is time to look for a new place to host the fair, which has been held at the Grover King VFW Post 1115 in Hillsville since its rebirth four years ago.

“We are very appreciative of the VFW providing the location for the past years, but it is time to look for another place that can be dedicated to the efforts and allocated for further events on a regular basis,” Jackson said. “I am not sure if it is time to go purchase land, however, I do believe it is time to explore the opportunities that we may have access to. Therefore I would like to propose that we look to the Virginia Department of Agriculture for approval to explore the usage of the property at the Farmers’ Market just past the wholesale center.”

Since the property belongs to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Jackson said the board would have to ask permission to move forward.

“It is not as big as the 80 or 90 acres, but it is a good, handy location,” Jackson said.

Jackson said he appreciates the volunteers who have worked diligently toward the goal of the county fair, but he thinks it’s time to make the fair a county department. As it is currently organized, Carroll County contributes much of the manpower to the fair, but it is actually not part of their responsibility, Jackson said. Such a move would allow could employees to be used on fair activities along with community volunteers.

“I am not asking that a huge amount of money be placed with this move,” Jackson said. “I also think our insurance will cover the fair much better with this move.”

Jackson then made a motion for the county to explore using the Farmers’ Market property for the county fair and to ask the Virginia Department of Agriculture for permission, if needed.

“I am sure if this passes we can make a great case for the Virginia Department of Agriculture because that is a spot that will be used for agriculture and tenant use,” Jackson said. “I also think this will be a great way to showcase our farmers and our farm products of Carroll County.”

After the motion passed unanimously, Jackson turned his attention to structuring a fair department in Carroll County. County Administrator Gary Larrowe said Kevin Semones has been the fair’s chairman, so the committee could fall into his department or under a variety of departments.

“It may be a combination of two or three different departments. I think that recreation, tourism and the Farmers Market all are integral pieces that might be part of this for the future,” Larrowe said. “It could be very much a collaboration, but one of the things we might do is look at that as sort of a global view.”

Jackson then made a motion to structure a fair and leadership department or structure it within another county department. The motion passed unanimously.