» To the Franklin County Fair Board:

We, the undersigned, ask that you switch the location of the beer tent.  From its usual spot to a new one, such as the other side of the grandstand (near the entrance in front of the NCCC campus).  Doesn’t matter where, so long as it’s moved from its current, inappropriate location.

Over the years the boisterous crowd at the beer tent has made the fair and its entertainment–how shall we put it?–an unexpected challenge for many of us with young families. There are times when the narrow corridor between the grandstand and the rest of the fair becomes virtually impassable.  This is what we are obliged to struggle and squeeze through.

Families with children obliged to wade through a crowd of intoxicated adults (including some who, frankly, don’t look adult), risking beer sloshed on them, jostling by boisterous revelers, and above all having our kids witness behavior many children find disturbing.  (Talk to a pediatrician.)

As parents, we’re not convinced this is a behavior model appropriate for little kids.

Understand, we are not bashing beer, or boozing, or boozing at the county fair.  We’re simply asking that those of us with children in tow not be forced to navigate through what has evolved into the Beer Exhibit with all its, shall we say, disinhibitions.

We appreciate your attention to this.

If you wish to sign our petition, click here.  Or simply add a comment, below.

Julie M. Derouchie
Malone