Southaven, MS—
FAST FACTS:
- Fair Starts This Weekend at Southaven's DeSoto Civic Center
- Rain Forces Move of Livestock From Adjacent Property
- Police Plan for Increased Traffic and Safety
Dennis.turner@wreg.com
{Southaven, MS 9/22/2009} It's almost time for the 153rd Mid-South Fair, and this year it's more different than ever due to its location.
Fair officials are setting up shop temporarily at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi about 20 minutes South of Memphis.
It's the Mid-South Fair's first visit to Southaven in its 153-year history.
Even though the location has changed, organizers say you'll find everything you've come to love about the Fair here in Mississippi and yes, that includes traffic.
That'll be familiar to Fair-goers, as the Fair adjusts to a slightly scaled-down version of the extravaganza that's brought hundreds of thousands of folks for more than 150 years. "There's a little bit more of a strain to be frank with you down there." said Mid-South Fair Chief Jim Rout.
The Fair's temporary home at the DeSoto Civic Center is smaller than the Memphis Fairgrounds, and traffic is bound to become an issue just as it always has. "We will try not to make any adjustments to the traffic flow until traffic becomes a problem." said Southaven Police Chief Tom Long.
Long says hours and hours of planning have gone into the city's Fair plan, leaning on the experience of dozens of huge events officers have worked at the arena.
Even the Mississippi Transportation Department will pitch in to help. "MDOT is helping us out. They're moving message boards into the area for us to advise motorists that are just passing through they'll be encountering Fair traffic." Long explained.
Once they get here, motorists will have three options getting in. Venture Drive and PepperChase sit along Church Road, and there's a Western entrance off Highway 51.
Church road is much wider and lit better than 9 years ago when Sheriff's Deputy James Burks was hit by an SUV and seriously hurt.
Plus, there's a traffic light now at Pepperchase.
The original plan called for livestock exhibits to locate on newly-acquired land immediately southeast of the Civic Center, but the recent rain made it unusable so those exhibits will squeeze onto vacant spots on the pavement.
Parking will still be available at the Civic Center, on adjacent property and at satellite lots like Northwest Community College and nearby factories within a mile. Free shuttle buses will run every 30 minutes.
But make no mistake, wherever the Fair locates, traffic follows. "But I have seen the time when I sat on Southern Avenue trying to get into the Mid-South Coliseum and sat there for 45 minutes." said Rout.
Traffic isn't expected to be too bad during the week, but Friday nights and on the weekends, police predict it will get heavy. They say stay patient, and consider using those satellite lots for a less stressful time.
