Acting manager takes helm at fairgrounds

Interim General Manager Dan Kinney announced June 4 that Assistant Manager Nancy Bright was named Acting General Manager effective May 15.

Kinney, who retired after 30 years as director of the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department, stepped back into the work force to lead the events center until a full-time general manager could be found.

Kinney plans to resume retirement, but he remains committed to supporting the center and the fair as a volunteer and consultant, according to a news release.

Bright, who has eight years of Ozark Empire Fair experience, serves on the board of the Missouri Association of Fairs and Festivals and is designated by the International Association of Fairs and Festivals as a certified fair executive.

“We are eagerly anticipating opening day of the fair on July 25,” Bright said in the release. “In the meantime, we remain busy with our facility rental events at the fairground.”

Ozark Empire Fair Board Chairman David Agee said the board is confident in Bright’s ability to guide the annual fair.

“We are lucky to have her. We are also fortunate to have long-term volunteer leaders that join us for the summer and bring a wealth of knowledge with them,” Agee added.

The Missouri Entertainment and Event Center is expected to announce this year’s fair theme today at a free lunch it is hosting for the North Springfield Betterment Association at the E*Plex on the fairgrounds.

The concert lineup for the fair has been announced and includes Lone Star, Gretchen Wilson, Weird Al Yankovic and the Thunder in the Dirt Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pull.