Breaking it down

Orange County Fair organizers said Monday that animal exhibitors had no reason to worry about leaving their flocks overnight, even with a new policy this year that prevents owners from camping on the fairgrounds.

Starting this summer, exhibitors were not allowed to camp for free on the grounds and help to guard their menageries. As the fair drew to a close last week, some owners voiced concerns about the new rule, saying they were worried about the animals’ safety while they were lodged across town.

Fair organizers, however, replied that they had security taken care of.

“I can understand why they would take that perspective, but if we’re talking about the safety of animals, all animals on the fairgrounds are safe and secure,” said Steve Beazley, the fair’s chief operating officer. “We have our own security and have our own team of animal experts who check on them [animals] during the day and night.”

In January, fair officials contacted exhibitors to let them know they would have to find other accommodations while their animals stayed on the fairgrounds. Beazley and fair CEO Becky Bailey-Findley explained that the grounds were pressed for space and needed to cover new exhibits and parking.

Beazley added that he didn’t expect a substantial drop in animal exhibits at next year’s fair. This summer, with the new rule, the number of breeding exhibitors went down 20%, with livestock exhibitors on the whole down 14%.

“I think it will give people who are making those decisions extra time to make arrangements,” Beazley said. “Certainly, we would never turn away animals to be exhibited.”