Clinton County Agricultural Society Statement on Golf Cart Usage Policy and Accessibility

The Clinton County Agricultural Society Board would like to address a recent situation that occurred during the 2025 Clinton County Fair involving the use of a personal golf cart for transporting a child with special needs.

First and foremost, we deeply value and appreciate the ongoing involvement of all our families, especially those who work hard to make the fair a meaningful experience for youth and community members of all abilities. We are truly sorry for the distress experienced by the family involved.

Golf carts and similar vehicles present unique challenges in areas with high pedestrian traffic. For many years, the Fair Board has maintained a policy restricting the use of privately owned motorized vehicles to help ensure the safety of all participants especially in livestock areas and near the grandstands, which can become highly congested.

To support accessibility, the Board provides shuttle transportation throughout the fairgrounds. We also welcome reasonable accommodation requests and continue to review and adapt policies to better meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

In this case, the family had been given permission to use their golf cart under certain guidelines. Unfortunately, a miscommunication about where and when the cart could be used led to a situation that escalated beyond what anyone intended. We regret how it unfolded and are committed to improving communication in the future.

The family will be permitted to continue to use their cart at the 2025 Clinton County to prioritize both safety and accessibility. Moving forward, we are committed to reviewing how we can expand services and infrastructure for attendees with disabilities, ensuring their fair experience is inclusive, respectful, and safe.

We remain committed to serving every member of our community while protecting the well-being of all fairgoers.