State Fair Park-and-Ride Money Helps Churches Maintain Parking Lots

In 2010, the state fair’s park-and-ride program provided 920,000 free shuttle trips for fair-goers between their cars and the fairground. The program cost $1.4 million, including payments to area park-and-ride hosts--many of which are churches.  

Of the 34 state fair park-and-ride locations this year, ten are in Roseville. (Nine of the Roseville locations are church parking lots.)

“The park and rides are about getting people a convenient way to get to the fair,” said Brienna Schuette, a state fair press liaison. “We have 9,000 parking spaces and on any given day we have 100,000 to 200,000 people attending the fair.”

Officials at churches that run park-and-ride program stressed the benefits to the community as well as the financial benefits.

“It certainly helps the fair prevent congestion and consumption of gasoline, but we do get paid something, which goes toward maintaining things like the parking lot,” said Pastor Frank Fried of the Church of Corpus Christi.

The Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick, the pastor of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, said his congregation also used the money for the upkeep of its parking lot.

“We sunk $10,000 into the parking lot just before Easter,” he said. “This won’t pay for that, but it will help.”

Fitzpatrick said he was happy to provide a service for the community.

“Obviously it’s about being a good neighbor,” he said, “and lots and lots of folks do take advantage of it, and it makes getting to the fair a lot easier.”

Jan and Jim Fargher drove from their Hugo home to the Calvary Church park-and-ride Thursday morning for the first day of the fair.

Jim Fargher had worked at the fair for 40 years, running a rabbit race and tending his father’s popcorn stand. The couple planned to visit the arts and crafts and conservation buildings before meeting friends for dinner.

They said they were thankful for the convenience of the park-and-ride.

“We avoid the chaos of parking,” Jan Fargher said. “It’s very handy.”

Roseville Park and Ride Locations
Bethany Baptist Church
Church of Corpus Christi
Grace Church of Roseville
Roseville Covenant Church
Roseville Area High School
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church
Centennial United Methodist Church.
North Como Presbyterian Church
Calvary Church