Dean gives some Fairgrounds events an additional six months

Christmas Village, a holiday shopping tradition at the State Fairgrounds sine 1961, will get to set up shop in 2010 as Mayor Karl Dean has recommended extending the site’s closing date by six months.

A letter from the mayor to Fair Board Chairman James Weaver, dated Tuesday, explained that discussions with event organizers led the mayor to reconsider the original June 30 closing date.

“A number of event organizers have requested additional time to transition and work with their vendor, attendees, etc. for continued success in new locations,” Dean’s letter read. “They have said that an additional six months is an appropriate window of time.”

Dean letter came just days after Christmas Village opened what event staff thought was going to be their swan song. The letter also asks for continuation of the flea market and other events through to Dec. 31, 2010.

The mayor did ask the board to adhere to his decision to cease racetrack operations and his wishes not to conduct a State Fair on the site in 2010. Read a copy of his letter here. [1]