09/02/2026
Statement from the President of the Wayne County Fair Regarding 2025 Fair Security Services
A recent article published by The Times of Wayne County on August 29 contained information regarding security services at the 2025 Wayne County Fair that was inaccurate and misleading. As President of the Wayne County Fair, I believe it is important to set the record straight.
The Wayne County Fair has contracted for additional security services for many years. This was not a new practice in 2025.
The Wayne County Fair is a seven-day event involving thousands of fairgoers, vendors, exhibitors, contractors, volunteers and numerous activities occurring simultaneously throughout the Fairgrounds. Dedicated security personnel are necessary to supplement the law enforcement support provided during Fair week.
We are extremely grateful for the complimentary support provided by the Palmyra Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police and local Fire Departments. Their assistance is invaluable. However, that support does not eliminate the Fair's need for additional security personnel assigned to specific Fair activities, locations and operational needs.
The Facts About the $10,000 Payment
The article stated that the Police Chief received a $10,000 payment from the Wayne County Fair Board for supplying security and hiring friends and other officers.
That is not an accurate representation of what occurred.
The facts are straightforward:
The Wayne County Fair entered into a formal security services contract with the Village of Palmyra Police Department.
The contract was approved by the Village of Palmyra Board on March 3, 2025.
The Fair received an invoice from Village of Palmyra Clerk-Treasurer and Tax Collector Aubrey Shaffer on August 20, 2025.
The invoice was for 164 hours of security services.
The Fair paid $8,856 to the Village of Palmyra for those services—not $10,000 to an individual.
There was no unexplained personal payment by the Fair Board. There was a documented municipal contract, municipal approval, an invoice from the Village and payment to the Village for security services provided during the 2025 Fair.
Additional Security Was Not a Duplication of Police Services
The article also quoted an unnamed Palmyra official stating:
“We didn’t know where the money was going or why the Fair paid out for something Palmyra Police and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office were already providing for free.”
That statement is misleading.
The Fair's contracted security was additional personnel, not a replacement for or duplication of the complimentary law enforcement support provided by our public safety partners.
Operating a large, seven-day agricultural fair requires the Fair Board to make responsible decisions regarding security, crowd management and the protection of fairgoers, exhibitors, volunteers and property.
Hiring additional security is not wasteful spending. It is responsible event management.
The Wayne County Fair Board takes its financial responsibilities seriously. Every expenditure is made with the goal of safely and successfully operating the Fair and continuing an agricultural tradition that dates back to 1856.
We value our longstanding relationships with the Village of Palmyra, Village of Palmyra Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, and local fire departments and we sincerely appreciate their continued support.
However, when inaccurate information is published regarding the Fair's finances and security operations, we have an obligation to correct the record.
The facts are clear: the Fair did not make an unexplained $10,000 payment to an individual. The Fair contracted with the Village of Palmyra for security services, the contract was approved by the Village Board, the Fair was invoiced by the Village, and the Fair paid $8,856 for 164 hours of security services.
The Wayne County Fair has nothing to hide. We simply expect the facts to be reported accurately. Any questions can be directed to Pamela Ferranti, President of the Wayne County Fair Board of Directors, waynecountyfair.org.@
