Harrison Thorp 7:30 a.m.
Saturday, October 21, 2017 7:30 am

The iconic sign at the fairgrounds; inset, new fair events manager Vicky Poland. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - It was announced on its official Facebook page three days ago. The Rochester Fair will be back for 2018.

Scheduled for just four days instead of the former 10, expect the new, revamped Rochester Fair to rely heavily on agricultural and exhibitors' events with a smaller carnival presence and sans circus.

The Rochester Agricultural and Mechanical Association has already approved the fair to run from Sept. 13-16.

Fair organizers announced earlier this year the fair would be discontinued due to crushing debt amassed over several years.

In May, Norm Vetter, association chair, estimated the fair was almost $800,000 in debt, hemorrhaging between $60,000 and $75,000 annually.

In further restructuring, former fair general manager Mark Perry was replaced by an events manager, Vicky Poland.