2-2-24 fdl county committees recommend authorizing acceptance of donation for naming rights for fairgrounds music stage

Two Fond du Lac County committees are recommending acceptance of a naming rights donation proposal for a new music stage at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds.  The county finance and ag and ed committees have authorized acceptance of a $300,000 donation from the National Exchange Bank Foundation for naming rights for the stage, and $375,000  from the city of Fond du Lac for construction of the stage.   County executive Sam Kaufman says he supports the project.   The proposal comes after residents in the neighborhood have complained about noise from  increased concerts outside of the Fond du Lac County Fair.   Kaufman says he believes that is a scheduling issue that can be addressed.  Kaufman says he also believes music concerts can be held inside the Expo Center and the stage can be used for other events.   Residents say they understand and enjoy the concerts at the Fair, but are concerned about a growing number of music events that have been scheduled  in recent years throughout the summer disrupting quiet weekends.  Residents have complained  about loud music that plays all day on the weekends and concerts that have lasted until late at night or even past midnight.   They say as long as the Fairgrounds is located in a residential neighborhood event organizers should  be respectful of the people who live in the neighborhood.