Nashville Fairgrounds

The Nashville Fairgrounds, also known as The Fairgrounds Nashville and the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, is an entertainment complex in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. The 117-acre (47 ha) site is located southeast of Downtown Nashville on the Nolensville Pike. It is home to the Tennessee State Fair, and also hosts the Fairgrounds Speedway, the Tennessee State Fairground Sports Arena, and the Nashville Flea Market. The site is planned to be redeveloped into a mixed-use development, with commercial and residential use, a community park, and a soccer stadium.[1]

History

The fairgrounds originally opened in 1891 as a horse racing track named Cumberland Park. The park became the home of the Tennessee State Fair in 1906 and was purchased by the Davidson County government (later Metro) in 1910.[2]

On September 20, 1965, a fire on the opening night of the fair destroyed four buildings and caused $10 million in damage.[3][4]

The fairgrounds were re-branded as The Fairgrounds Nashville in 2015, in an attempt to lure more events.[5]

Planned redevelopment

In 2009, Mayor Karl Dean announced the Metro government's intention to redevelop the fairgrounds into a mixed-use neighborhood, displacing the state fair amid financial struggles.[6] Opposition to the closure prompted a citywide referendum in August 2011 that would amend the Metro charter to continue existing activities at the fairgrounds site. The amendment was passed by over 70 percent of voters.[7][8]

In 2016, mayor Megan Barry proposed demolishing several buildings on the fairgrounds to make way for community parks and soccer fields. The plan, which also includes a new soccer stadium for the new Nashville MLS team, would displace the fair by 2019.[1][9]

References

  1. 1 2 Garrison, Joey (August 9, 2016). "Mayor's office unveils $15M plan to upgrade Nashville fairgrounds". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Tennessee State Fairgrounds Master Plan – Phase 1" (PDF). Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. February 18, 2013. p. 3. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  3. ↑ Bliss, Jessica (September 11, 2015). "TN State Fair survived epic fire in 1965". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Fire Sweeps Fairgrounds; 18 Injured, Loss $10 Million". The Nashville Tennessean. September 21, 1965. p. 1. Retrieved December 21, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Garrison, Joey (March 23, 2015). "Tennessee State Fairgrounds re-brands with new name". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  6. ↑ Cass, Michael (September 19, 2009). "Fair's future in air as Metro bails out". The Tennessean. p. 11A. Retrieved December 21, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Garrison, Joey (August 4, 2011). "Fairgrounds referendum rolls". The City Paper. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Fairgrounds referendum draws voters in Nashville". WSMV. Associated Press. August 4, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  9. ↑ Garrison, Joey (June 28, 2017). "After more than 100 years, Tennessee State Fair might leave Nashville's fairgrounds". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
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