The Lake County Commission approved moving forward with a conceptual site plan for a new county fairgrounds, advancing a proposed public-private partnership while acknowledging that the plan would affect the longtime home of the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Fair.

A report made to the County Commissioners said the new fairgrounds site comprises approximately 68 acres on Road 448 (Kennerwood 448). Officials noted previous board direction and funding set aside for planning, including infrastructure sales tax funding approved in FY 2021 ($250,000) with an annual allocation of $500,000 beginning in FY 2024, as well as $2 million in legislative appropriations through FDACS.

Representatives for American Event Management (AEM), the private partner under discussion, asked commissioners to approve the concept plan only, emphasizing that no construction commitment or county spending decision was being made at this stage. AEM said the concept approval allows them to begin cost analysis and return to the board later this year with numbers and a more detailed proposal.

The concept plan includes a 150,000-square-foot event center, significantly larger than existing county facilities, areas for rides and outdoor events, with flexibility for open-field uses, and parking and site circulation to support large gatherings.

Commissioners characterized the approach as a public-private partnership in which the private entity would also operate and maintain the facility after completion, potentially under a revenue-share structure to be negotiated and brought back for board approval. Commissioners reiterated that Tuesday’s action does not bind the county to costs and that any future spending would return to the board.

The board also heard from the Education Foundation, which hosts the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Fair at the current site. According to Director Elizabeth Johnson, last year’s event generated an economic impact of $4.8 million, marking the third consecutive year above $4 million, as reported by Visit Lake. The fair draws about 30,000 patrons over two weekends and is described as the largest fundraiser for the Lake County School District.

“Over the past five years, in part due to the Renaissance Fair, the Education Foundation has invested more than seven and a half million dollars in the Lake County School District,” she says.

Elizabeth requested support for extending their lease in Tavares for 2026 to host the 25th annual event, citing extensive traffic, safety, logistics and infrastructure challenges with an alternative county site previously discussed. They said a move could produce a 20–30% attendance decline, which would reduce funds available for the school district.

“I can’t vote for your extra year extension because of some things I’ve mentioned, and I hope the board can agree with me,” Commissioner Kirby Smith says. “We’ve got what we have going on with the fairgrounds and the event center, and I think it would mess that up. However, there may be an opportunity — they may very well be cleared enough for you to do what you need to do — but I can’t put them on the spot and say they’ve got to stop everything they’re doing for a year to make sure they don’t mess up what you’re going to do for a weekend.”

Commissioners discussed whether the Renaissance Fair could remain on site if construction timing allows, or potentially return to the redeveloped fairgrounds once complete. They stopped short of committing to a 2026 extension, directing that conversations continue with the private partner to determine whether timelines would conflict with site preparation. The board indicated it would revisit the matter at a future meeting after those talks.