Fan Fair--an annual country music event that combines concerts, fan club events, autograph signings and other attractions--will be cut from five days to four in 2001, organizers announced. The event will take place at an as-yet-unnamed venue from June 14-17.

Fan Fair recently completed its final run at Nashville's Tennessee State Fairgrounds, which had been home to the event since 1982. Event organizers had long complained that the fairground facilities were inadequate for the event, which has been suffering from declining attendance in recent years. After the local fair board announced a $5 million plan for improvements last year--down from a $27 million plan that was considered in 1997--Fan Fair organizers said they would consider other venues in Nashville and beyond to host the event.

The Nashville Tennesseean reported this week that Fan Fair officials were working on a deal to relocate the event to the Nashville Superspeedway, which is being built in Wilson County (a neighbor to Nashville's Davidson County). However, Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell has made a late bid to keep the event in Davidson County. The most likely Nashville site would be Adelphia Coliseum, home to the National Football League's Tennessee Titans.

The Country Music Association's Fan Fair committee will decide at a July 20 board meeting whether or not they will allow Nashville more time to retain the event.

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