What's Fair When it Comes to the Fairgrounds?

The fight about the future of the fairgrounds, a Watsonville locale that has been a hotbed of controversy for months, is about to go county-wide with a rally planned in Scotts Valley next month.

Just about everything about the fairgrounds—except the fair itself—is drawing ire from neighbors: roaring car engines at , music from the , .

On Tuesday, the fair's board of directors voted unanimously to halt most spending, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported. The decision was made, in part, because of the potential cost of a lawsuit filed by the Community Alliance for Fairground Accountability, a group of local residents, developers and environmental activists concerned about the impact of fair activities on the surrounding creeks and neighborhoods.

Some say the Alliance represents a small faction of people who are out to get the fairgrounds, Michael Olson, general manager of KSCO radio, wrote in Watsonville's Register Pajaronian earlier in July.

Driving through the rural neighborhoods surrounding the fairgrounds, you'll spot a fair number of "Save Our Speedway" lawn signs. Many in Watsonville would like this argument to just fade away like a summer sunset.

"But let's fight for Friday-night fun. I love going to the races," Tony Guadarrama wrote on the Watsonville Patch Facebook page.

"They need to take their whining elsewhere. They're just blocking the fairgrounds from being used to its full potential," Watsonville resident Alejandro Garcia share on Facebook.

Jennifer Lemon of Watsonville even quoted author Maya Angelou in her argument in favor of the fairgrounds:

"The fairgrounds is such an important part of our community—rather than fight it & cause the fair to throw tons of money down the drain on a ridiculous lawsuit, perhaps these people should put that time and $$$ into making it even better," Lemon wrote on Facebook, ending with the Angelou quote: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."

But concerns about about the future of the facility are not limited to Watsonville. It is the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, after all.

People from across the county are expected to attend next month's in Scotts Valley. Local elected officials and candidates for office, as well as radio personalities, will speak at the afternoon-long, family-friendly event. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and a picnic to the rally, from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 at , 77 Civic Center Dr., Scotts Valley.

The county fair is slated for Sept. 13-18. This year's theme is "Dancing with the Steers for 200 Years."