TN State Fairground events may get reprieve through 2010

Tennessean November 17, 2009 Christmas Village, the flea market and other events at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds — except for the state fair and auto racing — should be allowed to continue through 2010, Mayor Karl Dean said in a letter to the fair board chairman. Dean had previously said his administration would take control of the fairgrounds, which are part of Metro government, on June 30. In his letter to James Weaver, the mayor wrote that event organizers "have said that an additional six months is an appropriate window of time" to transition to new locations. But Dean said he continues to believe the century-old Tennessee State Fair and racetrack at the fairgrounds should be shut down now, based on a consultant's "comprehensive report." "My administration will continue to move forward with developing a framework for redevelopment of the site," he wrote.