FAIR: Can't toast grandstand fee

I'm trying to understand how it can be a good idea to have beer sold and consumed all over the county fair. When I read that the grandstands would be reserved seating, I thought this would be interesting. There will be hundreds of people showing up, looking to sit in the stands the way they have done for many years and don't know now that they can't.

In this economy, $5 doesn't sound like much but if you multiply that by four or five it adds up. My wife and I go to the fair every year and this year our grandson is racing Motocross, so that's one more. With prepaid tickets at $6 each times three and reserved seats at $6.50 each times three (Tickets West) plus a parking pass, $8, that's $45.50. That's not too bad for just two people if you're not strapped for cash, but if you have a family it's going to hurt.

I do understand that one day the stands will need to be replaced, and it would be good to spread the cost around. But do we need beer drinkers all over the fair? If so, maybe we should have it in our parks, city streets and school grounds.

Maybe $1.50 more on the fair ticket would be more practical. We better be prepared for upset fair-goers and people who can't or won't control their drinking.

TOM CALDER

Coeur d'Alene