SAFFORD — The success of Gila Valley 250, the countywide Fourth of July celebration, turned out to be proof of concept for a new collaboration that, officials hope, will make the Graham County Fair bigger and better as it heads into its second century.
During Monday’s meeting, the Graham County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a sponsorship services agreement with the Graham County Chamber of Commerce for the Fair.
“The Chamber would, in the county’s name, seek out sponsorships through relationships with employers and companies that they already have,” said County Manager Dustin Welker.
Under the agreement, Graham County and the Chamber would split the revenue from the sponsorship, less 10 percent that would be used as commission for the Chamber staff member who acquired the sponsorship.
The agreement would not include sponsorship by Freeport-McMoRan, which has been a sponsor of the fair since Freeport began operating in Graham County.
Welker said the Chamber has indicated it has commitments of at least $60,000 in new sponsorships, waiting on the agreement’s ratification.
The 100th Graham County Fair will take place Oct. 8-11. Latin Grammy winner Michael Salgado will headline Friday’s entertainment.
