The city isn’t wasting time when it comes to revitalizing the Fairgrounds property that it officially acquired on July 22.
City staff announced recently it had hired a Fairgrounds director.
Also, on July 30, the City Council took steps to ensure an event could be booked at the property. Flynn Creek Circus was given a discounted rental rate for the Great Lawn and will perform shows under its big top tent Sept. 12 to 15.
The new Fairgrounds director, Sheli Wright, will arrive for duty just a week ahead of the circus shows on Sept. 3, according to city spokesperson Jed Matcham. A statement from City Manager Laura Snideman listed some of Wright’s credentials, which include two decades in and around local and state government and most recently, as the CEO of the 49th District Agricultural Association, which operates the state-owned Lake County Fairgrounds.
“Like Calistoga, their fairgrounds needed infrastructure improvements and new ways to become financially sustainable. Sheli has boldly led the organization to achieve just that,” Snideman said in the statement. “I believe she is going to be a good listener and a hands-on worker dedicated to helping Calistoga achieve their vision for the Fairgrounds.”
According to a city budget pay range chart, the starting salary for the Fairgrounds director is roughly $188,000 but could go higher depending on experience and longevity.
The Flynn Creek Circus was founded in 2002 and, according to aerial acrobat and circus founder Blaze Birge, began performing at the Napa County Fairgrounds in 2015 until the time the county locked the Fairgrounds gates. It was then that the Fair Association board of directors disbanded and turned operation of the 71-acre property over to Napa County administration.
“We love Calistoga,” Birge said via teleconference at the council meeting. “We bring artists from all over the world and our goal is to bring really top-quality entertainment that has California-flavor to rural communities that would not normally have access to this kind of quality (show).”
Recently-appointed Deputy City Manager Rachel Stepp, (formerly Parks and Recreation director), told the City Council that the Flynn Creek Circus “had a keen interest in returning” to the Fairgrounds but that the city’s newly adopted rates were “a bit cost prohibitive due to the small nature of their operation.”
The fees approved by the council on July 9 would have cost the circus $10,450 for its eight-day rental – including set-up and break-down days – of the grass field. Stepp proposed to council a one-time discounted rental rate of $4,600 for the eight days, the $50 application fee and an $800 refundable deposit, plus five percent of ticket sales over the course of the four-day Fairgrounds run.
The council was very much in favor of providing a discounted rate to the family-friendly performances, especially given that the infrastructure that should be available for organizations renting the space isn’t in place yet.
“As we begin using the Fairgrounds and renting it out, we can make more accommodations,” said Councilmember Kevin Eisenberg, adding that in the future the council would likely need to stick to a more rigid rate structure. “This could be a great way to begin the use of the Great Lawn. Something that attracts all members of the community – including children.”
Council member Lisa Gift recalled at the meeting that the circus’ Fairgrounds shows were a big attraction and that they had in the past offered a popular summer camp for youth.
“We are thrilled to come back to Calistoga after the pandemic with our new tent and new show,” Birge told the Tribune in an email. “We really hope the community comes out to see how we have grown over our absence.”
The Flynn Creek Circus is an animal-free show, and will perform The Heavy Lift, led by a cast of acrobats. In addition to the family-friendly showings, “adult-only” shows will also be offered, according to a Flynn Creek Circus press release. Beer, wine and light concessions will be available for purchase. For more information about the show or to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.flynncreekcircus.com/
