Glenn County Fairgrounds face economic hardship during pandemic

Every May for the last 100 or so Mays - you could feel the excitement as you came upon the Glenn County Fairgrounds.

But some things are still closed including one in glen county (nats: goat noise) every may for the last 100 or so mays - you could feel the excitement as you came upon the glenn county fairgrounds.

Lights - rides - animals, fun and food - all ready and waiting for you at the glenn county fair.

(nats) but now its just an empty 54-acre lot.

"this would have been the 104th glenn county fair."

The coronavirus ended that streak.

(nats: typing on keyboard) miki martin is the c-e-o of the glenn county fairgrounds..

(nats: miki taking call) "during the fairs four day run.

Approximately 1 point 3 million dollars is generated in the facility."

The fairgrounds takes home half of that - it's their biggest money maker.

"that doesn't take into account the hundreds of people that come into orland, during the week of the fair and shop at the grocery stores and get gas at the gas stations."

(standup:) martin says she's had to cancel at more than 45 other events like weddings and quincineras.

They typically hold more than 100 events a year in one of their halls.

"i pretty much laid off all of my staff.

There are two of us, myself and my maintenance still working."

The fairgrounds has the resources to survive for a year without hosting any events.

Martin says she set aside money from fema - when they housed people for the camp fire.

"and that's going to help us ride the closures" (nats: opening banner) they're already preparing for 2021 - martin says she hopes things will be back to normal by then - but even if they are she says they'll still take steps to keep fairgoers safe.

Get this the fair has never