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Planning for the Town Fair—which generated a passionate response from community members last year, after losing "Perry Hall/White Marsh" from its title and moving to a Middle River zip code—is already underway.
The 17th annual fair is scheduled for Saturday, July 13 for a second year at Baltimore Crossroads @95, according to fair organizer and president of the Perry Hall/White Marsh Business Association Lynn Richardson.
Richardson urges community members to get involved in the planning process. The committee's first meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Jan. 28 at Madison Square Federal Savings Bank in Perry Hall.
"I encourage anyone who wants input for the fair to join us ... The retailers and property owners have indicated that they are looking forward to having us back," Richardson said.
Baltimore Crossroads @95 is a mixed-use business center located along White Marsh Boulevard in a Middle River zip code, although some consider that area to be included in White Marsh. The Crossroads complex is home to the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce, which represents the White Marsh, Essex and Middle River area.
Many attendees of the 2012 fair praised its wide open space and regional appeal, with attractions including over 200 vendors, several live bands and a petting zoo. Still, others complained that it had lost its small-town feel and sense of Perry Hall pride.
The Perry Hall Improvement Association's sponsorship of the Perry Hall Apple Festival in September 2012 was in part a response to the departure of the town fair, PHIA volunteers said.
The 2010 and 2011 Perry Hall/White Marsh Town Fairs were held at Honeygo Village Center in Perry Hall, and while the 2011 fair brought record-breaking attendance, estimated at more than 13,000, it also caused parking problems and led to disputes with some shopping center tenants.
Some community members had lobbied for the fair to return to its former location on the grounds of Perry Hall High School, where it had been ousted in 2009 with the enforcement of a controversial Baltimore County facilities use rule. But even with a rule revision, Richardson said restrictions were too great accommodate the fair. Previous fairs had also been held at Perry Hall Middle School and area public parks.
Richardson repeatedly praised Baltimore Crossroads @95 management for welcoming the fair and allowing a full range of entertainment, attractions and vendors to participate.
Share your experience from the 2012 Town Fair in the comments.
In This article
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Lynn Richardson
Joined Patch Friday, October 8, 2010 -
Madison Square Federal Savings Bank
9651 Belair Rd, Nottingham, MD -
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Perry Hall High School
4601 Ebenezer Rd, Nottingham, MD -
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Perry Hall Middle School
4300 Ebenezer Rd, Nottingham, MD
Joe Hamilton
7:22 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
How about two fairs? The one at Crossroads, and a smaller one somewhere in Perry Hall. Name them what each sponsor likes, then see if they can both survive.
Fullerton Self Storage
10:23 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
What a good idea, Joe! I'm sure that the Perry Hall Business Association will be happy to sponsor the fair at Crossroads, if you would like to take care of a smaller one in Perry Hall! With the amount of work that they put into this fair, I'm sure that they won't have the time or resources to sponsor another. But I'm sure they'd be happy to participate in your fair too!
Tim
7:39 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
This is the Middle River fair, won't be attended by me.
mcgillicuddy
1:54 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
That may be considered a plus for Middle River.
John Doe
8:35 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I think that is the weekend I get my summer haircut - I probably won't make it.
JD1
8:52 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Only if its a "gun free" zone
Bill Howard
8:41 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I hope the sell them at the fair. The would be very American.
Spring Heeled Jack
9:06 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
White Marsh Mall said they would host... but the were NEVER asked by Richardson last year. What lies does she have in place this year?
Spring Heeled Jack
9:13 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Can Jessica Benson of White Marsh Mall please attend this first meeting to give the official standing of WMM on supporting local Perryhall businesses and locals for this upcoming fair? Supporting our local businesses should represent us in PH and WM, NOT Middle River and Essex.
James
9:30 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I don't understand what your problem is with the new location of the fair. The fair had been very successful for many years and outgrew its location. I hate to tell you, but I don't think White Marsh Mall will be doing anything for free. Crossroads is in the middle of White Marsh and Middle River. Let it just happen and enjoy. If you want a small town fair feel move to a small town. White Marsh is by far not small.
@JD1 - I think I remember a shooting at Perry Hall this past year. Don't judge other towns. There are problems everywhere
Paul
11:00 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Is there a Walgreens, Rite Aid, or CVS nearby?
mcgillicuddy
1:52 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Paul, there's a Rite Aid at 6 Carroll Island Road 21220. Appr. 3 miles away. (410) 335-2323
Tim
2:10 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
ahh classic middle river intellect. Bait taken!
Paul
6:22 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Too easy.
Dan D
3:39 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
It seems from past comments, the people residing in Perry Hall (myself included) would like their own identiy as a community. That being said, why have we let the organizers of the current "Town Fare" take it out of Perry Hall? Why do we have to share with White Marsh and then locate the fare in a Middle River zip code? I guess like everything else, it comes down to the almighty dollar. Having grown up in Perry Hall and residing here for over 50 years, I just resent the fact that our town's identity is being compromised. Take the mail service for instance - sounds like an Abbott & Costello routine. I live in Perry Hall but my zip code is 21236 so according to the post office I'm told the official town I live in now is Nottingham, because only people that have a 21128 zip can use the name Perry Hall on their address labels. For years my official mailing address town was Baltimore but the mail was processed and delivered out of Parkville until the new post office was built over by White Marsh, changing the town name to Nottingham. Confused?? As far as I'm concerned, I reside in Perry Hall, am proud of it, and would like to see us have a fare named after the town in which we live.
FIFA_archived
6:32 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Your use of "fare" OT is somewhat funny!?
karebare7510
5:04 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I certainly have no intention of offending anyone but, having said that, I find it very annoying that some of these people who are unhappy with the location of the Perry Hall Town Fair are making it sound like the people who organize the Town Fair are corrupt, paid officials who are being "allowed" to move the Fair to this location. The Perry Hall Business Association is made up of small business owners in the area who "volunteer" their time and resources to organize this fair. It doesn't belong to anyone so they really aren't being "allowed" to move it. It is organized by them and they are free to move it anywhere they choose!!! And if the location presents a problem for anyone......how about getting involved and donating YOUR time and YOUR resources. THEN you can have a voice in the location of the fair!!!
NottinghamFamily
6:04 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I'm really not too sure what the whole fuss is about. The last time I attended the fair on the grounds around Weis supermarket, it was very crowded and I had to walk quite a way to get there. Now I'm fit, so it wasn't a burden on me, but I know several of my neighbors just couldn't deal with the whole thing, so they refrained from going. I think the larger location is great and I truly don't see that area as being either Perry Hall or Middle River honestly. There's a wide highway to and from and it's a more open space. I'm looking forward to attending.
John Doe
8:53 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
karebare7510 - A few volunteers actively involved last year posted that our involvement WOULD NOT have had any impact on the location of the fair. If you want involvement, then simply ask for it. Please don't make statements that mislead people.
Tim
1:26 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Just because individuals don't contribute directly to the process, doesn't absolve those in charge doing so of terrible decisions.
Other Tim: Follow the money.
Tim
2:02 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Other Tim: There's no other reason to explain the absolute lack of transparency as to why we ended up with the "Perry Hall Town Fair" in "Middle River". Lynn Richardson has had countless opportunities over the past 18 months to document exactly why our town fair's been hijacked, and has consistently failed to do so.
Spring Heeled Jack
1:33 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
@ other Tim: So you are fine with people in elected positions to ignore its constituents?
Tim
1:34 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
There are other forms of restitution besides, let's say money.
It's too bad she's tired of the complainers. That stuff happens when you give NO REASON other then some canned excuse to hijack our town fair and deliver it to Middle River.
See, this quote for you is exactly what's wrong:
"I don't remember any of the vendors complaining, only the people who think a couple more miles to drive is an inconvenience."
You, like Lynn, seem to have forgotten what this Town Fair is about.
BmoreBobRob
6:52 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Is Middle River considered East Perry Hall?
Tim
1:24 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
on Lynn Richardson's map, apparently.
John Doe
8:15 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I'm hoping eventually it becomes so big and popular it has to be moved to Ocean City. Then I can make a weekend of it with the family - a 2 for 1 deal.
karebare7510
11:10 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
I'd really like to get a few things straight. Just for the record:
#1 This is NOT my first post on Patch. There are multiple editions of Patch for various locations and I can't imagine that anyone has the time to sit down and read every comment for every article!
#2 My account is not a bogus one. It's one that I have used for many years. You are correct that it's not my real name. But I'm pretty sure that John Doe & Spring Heeled Jack aren't real names either!
#3 I am NOT Lynn Richardson, nor am I a member of PHBA. I do know Lynn and have known, and respected, her for several years.
#4 I've been a vendor at the Perry Hall Town Fair for many years, which is the reason that I stand behind my beliefs. I was a vendor when it was on Ebeneezer Road, Honeygo Blvd, and last year when it was at Crossroads and renamed the Town Fair. From both a vendor and attendee perspective, it is MY OPINION that this is by far the best location. The parking is more than adequate, with shuttle buses to take you from your vehicle to the fair itself. The streets are wide so its easy for vendors to set up and break down. The wider streets also make it easier for attendees to walk around and really get to enjoy the fair.
#5 As a vendor, I've seen the amount of work that is put into this fair BY VOLUNTEERS for the enjoyment of ALL. For this they should be commended, not condemned! Maybe it would be better if these folks just caved to the criticism and ceased to have the fair at all!
Spring Heeled Jack
12:29 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Thanks for addressing. I honestly respect your opinion.
I feel (among many others in the community); however, that the fair was moved for "other" reasons then Mrs. Richardson's complaints posted on the Patch last summer. She claimed: No available local space (False), no parking (False), and bad traffic problems (False). Some local plazas and White Marsh Mall; ALL said they were never approached last year by the PHBA about hosting the local fair.
#1 Ask Jessica Benson about WMM's position.
#2 What about the Avenue? They have held many large events there and will shut down the entire main street to promote events.
#3 WMM or the Avenue would have plenty of space and tons on site parking, shuttles, park and ride, bus routes, plus some locals could walk over, and the police station is close. (For this event with added police directing traffic will address traffic issues.)
#4 These locations would actually be in the direct presence of 100's of local businesses; including, local restaurants (which always need added business). Local businesses would also get heavy foot traffic into their stores on that day. Which in turn would reflect the purpose of the fair (to promote local businesses).
#5 I know many vendors at the fair also. I found them to be 50/50 on the Baltimore Crossroads location. Half said, "It stunk for cash sales". Half said, "It was fine for promoting services (banks, home improvements and such)."
John Doe
1:37 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
karebare7510 - I have never 'condemned' the work volunteers do with any event, especially this one. I absolutely respect all the work you and others do - you are missing my point. It appears that the Perry Hall residents haven't been told the truth. What made it worse was Lynn Richardson, the president, goes off on her supposed community and neighbors in a comment she left last year. People are going to have different opinions. I, personally, could not believe a person in her position would sound off like that. I respect hard work, but not being belittled by the president who is asking for our support.
FIFA_archived
2:12 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
I don't have a dog in this fight nor do I really care one way or the other.
That said, user name karebare7510 tied to whatever email address you have has only posted twice on the Patch. The Patch shows the history of all posts made by you. Your history shows a total of two. How do I know, I click on your name. It shows your history of commenting. I'll let others listen to your explanations.
Perhaps a Patch editor has a different explanation.
FIFA_archived
2:15 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
PS - the Patch shows your account was created on January 17, 2013.
karebare7510
2:26 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Knowing that someone would make any effort to check out an account history is a little too spooky for me! I think I'll just agree to some points made and agree to disagree on others! Thanks for the banter!
ps - FIFA, I have used this username to post on many other occasions. HOWEVER, my e-mail address had changed since I last used it so I had to create a new account using the new email. Have a great weekend!
FIFA_archived
2:39 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
A poster who apparently deleted their comment about you being Lynn Richardson originally questioned your "newness". It is really not any effort to verify your statement.
But "denial" is not a river in Egypt. A simple search in the search bar using "karebare7510" now shows a total of 3 posts. Honesty is the best policy it leads to credibility. But I am not here to judge your motives, but the earlier poster apparently searched and found the same.
Have a great weekend yourself, I wish you success at the Fair, whomever you are.
Spring Heeled Jack
1:38 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
Jan. 28th, 6PM. Be there or be square... I guess. Should be a fun night.
PS: Has anyone informed Jessica Benson (WMM) or the GM of The Avenue or the GM of Perryhall Shopping Center about attending and conveying their incite as to why they denied Lynn Richardson the fair last year and apparently this year to host a fair to promote LOCAL Businesses?
Pay
8:26 am on Monday, January 21, 2013
The mall and avenue would make the fair a failure based on costs. I've tried to hold events at the mall and avenue a few times, but the costs were really high. Why spend 1000s when you can get a location for next to nothing(not sure what the new location cost)
Lynn Richardson
8:41 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
I post under my own name, thank you. And when I have something to say, you'll see it.