by Mary-Kate Roan
Staff Writer
The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair will mark its 54th year when the doors swing open for business again Oct. 29. And its vendors are just as flavorful as the food served.
But what does it take for someone to become a vendor?
“There are two ways to be a vendor,” said Jeannie Wells Yonge, the event coordinator at the Jacksonville Expo Center at the Fairgrounds. “One is by being contracted while the other is to sign up as an independent vendor.”
And to become an independent vendor is tough. Yonge says that she gives top priority to those who have come back year after year. Most vendors have been around for over a decade. For example, Perry Arnett on any other day is a City employee, working as the supply manager for Public Works. But when the fair comes around, Arnett transforms into a philly cheesesteak and sausage vendor with a recipe that if he told people, he “would have to kill them.” And Arnett’s been a vendor at the fair since the headquarters were built near Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and across the street from the Jacksonville Historical Society on Oct. 17, 1990.
“I’m actually the only original member left,” said Arnett.
So why keep coming back?
“I enjoy doing it,” said Arnett. “I’ve worked with people at the fair and made friends over the years.”
That’s exactly what Jerry Stalvey of Stalvey’s Barbecue said. He’s been doing it for the past 12 years and is also a vendor at the nearby Clay County Fair.
“The people are good to me,” said Stalvey.
But this isn’t the only time that Stalvey has picked up his barbecue and low country boil equipment to feed people. As a matter of fact, in 2005 Stalvey went to Putnam County with FEMA to cook for survivors of Hurricane Katrina after it went over Florida en route to New Orleans.
Stalvey even brings his own equipment.
“I have two big walk-in coolers,” said Stalvey. “And I store everything in them.”
And Stalvey will continue going to the fair with two conditions: he is treated well and makes a little bit of money in the process.
“They take care of me there,” said Stalvey.
And Yonge agrees.
“We’re like a big family,” said Yonge.
• If you go this year, the Fair is offering an online special that ends Nov. 8 at midnight. Buy a wristband with admission online for $25 and save 25 percent when you check out. “Say you buy four wristbands at $100,” said Gayle Harte of the Greater Jacksonville Fair. “When you check out, you’ll only pay $75.” For more, visit the Web site at www.jacksonvillefair.com.
• Also, Harte confirmed that there will be a trolley stop just outside the fair. She spoke with Theresa O’Donnell, director of the City’s Office of Special Events, and arranged it. Since this year’s fair also includes the Georgia/Florida game, there was a concern for the traffic and parking issues in the area.
356-2466