Directing traffic a busy fair job

It only takes one trip to the Warren County A&L Fair to realize parking can be an issue.

Adding a little stability to the chaos of visitors to the fair are those volunteers who make getting into the fair, parking, and out again a little easier. This year’s fair parking and traffic directors include longtime volunteers Mayor Royce Davenport and Constable Louis Battles, along with Warren County JROTC cadets.

For several years, JROTC has directed parking in the public parking areas. Col. Mitch Sartain and 1st Sgt. Tim Howard signed the cadets up again this year as a community service project so they will learn to be good citizens by taking care of their community.

Mayor Davenport has volunteered for years to direct traffic at the main entrance. For a couple hours around noon and a couple hours in the evening he stands post while Battles, who spends his vacation week directing fair traffic every year, takes a break for lunch and dinner.

Although you can slow down and say hello to Battles, good luck with McMinnville’s mayor.

‘He’s more laid back than I am,’ said Davenport. ‘You can see him off to the side when the traffic is slow talking to people. When I’m directing traffic, I concentrate on the traffic. You have to watch or people will run over you.’

With all the chaos of traffic, drivers looking for parking spaces while in motion is always a problem. Several close calls have resulted from people whose attention has been diverted.

While making the most of the fair’s remaining days, watch closely for the mayor, constable and cadets, as well as the other parking volunteers, Regan Kelsey and Mike Pelham.