Durham Fair President Gene Chiappetta Resigns as Membership Approves Lower Prices

Durham Fair President Gene Chiappetta resigned Wednesday night, unceremoniously ending his nearly ten year run as head of Connecticut's largest agricultural fair.

Chiappetta, who has been a volunteer with the fair since 1981 which includes serving as president since 2004, stepped down after the fair's membership voted 26-16 to reduce fair prices across the board, according to fair officials.

Fallout from the vote also led to the resignation of vice president Dominick Dimartino, director of public saftey Chuck Tobin and Julie Egan of administrative services.

"There was a vote that ensued that not everybody agreed to and not everybody agreed to the methodology how we got to that vote," said Dan Miramant, second vice president.

Only Tobin's resignation was formally filed with the board and Miramant left open the possibility that the executive board members could return.

Chiappetta could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Several fair members alerted Patch to the situation following Wednesday's Durham Fair Association meeting and expressed support for the decision to cut ticket prices, as well as vendor and booth rates.

Admission prices on Thursday were reduced from $10 to $8, while adult tickets ($15 to $13), junior tickets ($15 to $10) and senior tickets ($13 to $10) for the remaining three days were also dropped.

Members also agreed to reduce vendor and booth rates by nine percent across the board and eliminate a $50 energy fee charged to all vendors.

The changes appear to be the result of a significant decline in fair attendance in recent years. According to information presented at the meeting by treasurer Len Baginski, the fair sold $592,745 in tickets last year compared to $918,929 in 2010.

Baginski noted that 2010 was the last year the fair was not impacted by rain.

One fair member who asked not to be identified said he welcomed the change in leadership.

"It's all for the better," he said.

Related stories:

Durham Fair Exhibitor's Guide Dedicated to Fair President Gene Chiappetta

Durham Fair Planning Begins

Durham Fair Association Keeps 4-Day Fair