GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue, Emergency Management, National Weather Service and Clay County Agricultural Fair started getting ready for opening day months ago. 

They studied every scenario, whether it be a threat from weather, criminals or traffic. 

Things were running so smoothly, Fair Executive Director Tasha Hyder said she’s never felt so comfortable with the set-up days before the first customer passed through the front gates. 

All said there is hundreds of hours of planning and preparation involved with making sure everyone enjoys the Merry-Go-Round, funnel cake and rabbit fashion show. 

Instead of monitoring conditions from its Jacksonville office, the National Weather Service will staff Emergency Operations Center at the Clay County Fairgrounds. 

“We are always tied in with our local emergency management to help them with large events, with unplanned events when it comes to getting weather intelligence,” said Angie Enyedi of NWS. “For the Clay County Fair, for many, many years, we have always been behind the scenes helping keep a weather watch around the fair and an outside perimeter.” 

County Emergency Management Director Tim Devin said this year’s concerns are smoke from possible brush fires and, of course, fast-moving inclement weather. 

“Two years ago, there was a tornado that touched down in St. Augustine and was supposed to hit here,” Devin said. “Last year, we had a severe lightning storm that forced us to shut down the fair for a bit. There could be wildfires this year, so the fair could be affected by smoke. We've tied that into some of our planning assumptions as well.” 

Enyedi said her agency will also monitor heat indexes and wind gusts. 

“Weather watch means of any lightning threat that may impact the fair or the vicinity,” she said. “We watch when heat indexes get dangerously high, and we're worried about heat exhaustion, as well as the threat of wind gusts and any kind of impact they may have on fair infrastructure. We let the emergency management team know of those incoming weather hazards so they can let folks know when and where to get safe.” 

Wind is a primary focus for Deggeller Attractions, the provider of the Midway rides for all 40 years of the fair’s existence. Andy Deggeller said he carries an anemometer to gauge wind, and attractions are equipped with sensors that automatically shut the ride down when a certain wind speed is reached. 

He said most of the larger rides close when wind speeds reach nearly 30 mph. 

Sheriff Michelle Cook wanted to make sure everyone follows three basic guidelines, including traffic. 

“The Fair means a lot to families and kids,” she said. “I want to talk about some things that I want our visitors to be aware of. First of all, traffic. We keep getting hit with, ‘Traffic is a nightmare.’ Last year the longest traffic delay we had was 30 minutes, so we're expecting smooth traffic this year. 

“One caveat that we need to throw in here is that we do have some new roads that are open, and it's going to be interesting to see how those play into the overall traffic. We have a two-lane road leaning in and out of this property, but our team is ready. We've been evaluating it for months now. I still would say to pack your patience and be prepared to leave early. 

The addition of the First Coast Expressway, which crosses State Road 16 one mile west of the fairgrounds, and Cathedral Oak Parkway, which including County Road 315 crosses SR 16 a half mile east of the grounds, will provide additional access routes to the speedway. But neither leads directly into the fairgrounds.  

“If you have a concert or specific time that you want to get here, listen to the deputies that are out on the roads,” Cook said. “You can also tune to FM station 88.5. We have a replaying message on there that talks about traffic, so make sure you turn that in as you get close the second thing.” 

Parking has been simplified. Cars will enter the main gate on SR 16 and exit on Southbank Road, which goes back to SR 16. 

Cook, Hyder and Devin all asked that fairgoers download the free SaferWatch and Alert Clay apps. They also said it’s important for adults to take photos of their children in case they get separated. By having a photo, it can be immediately sent to sheriff deputies, fire rescue, emergency management and fair officials. 

Cook also said the sheriff’s office is ready to respond to a possible teen takeover. She said parents should remind their children of rules and consequences. 

In short, everyone insisted a lot has been devoted to making sure the Fair remains family friendly. Remember to drink plenty of water before and during the event, to wear comfortable shoes and to bring sunblock. 

Corndogs are optional.