Historic Venue in Orange County New York Looking for Support

I like others have enjoyed going to the Orange County Fairgrounds for exciting events for decades. This is why so many people have come forward about a meeting to be held in the Town of Wallkill later this week that could change the fairgrounds for good.

I remember my first concert at the grandstand, Foreigner August 1, 1985. And in case you are wondering how I can be so sure about the date I want to shout out Setlist.fm. I googled Foreigner at Orange County Fairgrounds in Middletown, New York, and not only got the date but the setlist, it was a great show.

Orange County Fairgrounds Looking for Support at Town Meeting

That is the type of event so many of us remember when you talked about the Orange County Fair Grounds on Wisner Avenue in Middletown. Dirt Track racing on Saturday nights, 184 years of county fairs and so many memorable concerts. Later this week that reportedly could all be coming to an end.

Over the weekend the Orange County Fair Speedway shared a letter from Michael Gurda who wrote as a representative of the Orange County Fairgrounds. He is asking the public to please come out this Thursday to support the fairgrounds and their events.

The Town of Wallkill will be holding a meeting on Thursday, July 25th at 7 PM at 99 Town Drive Building A to discuss changing some of the town's ordinances which would in turn affect what happens at the fairgrounds.

Town of Wallkill Holding Meeting to Address the Orange County Fair Speedway

News of the meeting was announced just over a week ago. The meeting is to discuss changing the current noise ordinance for the fairgrounds along with the mass gathering ordinance. Changes could alter future events at the fairgrounds and the speedway. They could also affect the events schedule for the rest of 2024.

SEE Also: Events at the Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown NY

So many groups use the fairgrounds for large entertainment events. Weekly racing at the track was suspended this year however they do have races scheduled for August 4th and September 8th. Plus Eastern States along with the Hard Clay Finale are scheduled to be held there later this fall.

The 184th Orange County Fair is currently going on. Any discussion made Thursday night could change things for next year's fair. Other groups like Burnout Nationals and Motorcross have also been using the fairgrounds for well-attended events in 2024.

The Orange County Fairgrounds and Mike Gurda are hoping to have a strong showing of support for the Orange County Fairgrounds and its event partners on Thursday night at the meeting in hopes of preventing changes that would cause the events to have to shut down.

As you might imagine the reaction has been mixed. The fairgrounds have been for sale with a rumored deal or two falling through which has had people wondering what will happen to the fairgrounds in the future. This meeting may add to that conversation.

Warning for those planning to attend: this is a Town board meeting so there will be procedures that will need to be followed that night in order to participate in the meeting. If you are sure make sure to check in with the Town of Wallkill.

Orange County Fairgrounds has Seen its Share of Famous People