You can park here! Blackfoot residents open yards for fair parking
BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI)– The Eastern Idaho State Fair brings thousands of people to Blackfoot each year, but for many fairgoers, finding a place to park can be one of the biggest challenges. For some residents who live near the fairgrounds, that parking headache has become an opportunity to make extra money and, in many cases, help others in their community.
Teanna Hutchins said she takes time away from work and school during the fair to run a parking area. The extra income is helping her pay for college.
“ I took off work, and I’m missing some classes so that I can be here and I can run this,” Hutchins said. “This is actually paying for some of my college right now.”
The parking spots can fill quickly as different groups of fairgoers arrive throughout the day.
“They start coming in, and then they’ll leave by 4 or 5, and all the night crowd comes in, and then it fills up really fast,” Hutchins said.
Bailey Davenport offers her yard for fair parking. She said the parking areas were especially busy over Labor Day weekend, with large crowds coming to the fair and horse races.
"I think probably for the horse races," Davenport said.
Virginia Bronco uses a nearby house to help a longtime family friend who moved out of state after becoming sick. Bronco said the woman’s property taxes were one reason she had previously offered parking during the fair.
“This house was one of my best friend’s houses,” Bronco said. “I grew up with her daughters, her three daughters. And I love their mother dearly. She was always a big part of our lives.”
She also said she tries to keep her parking prices affordable so families can enjoy a day at the fair.
“I kind of back down on my prices because I feel like everything’s gone up, and let them enjoy a day at the fair,” Bronco said.
For Bronco, seeing children excited to attend the fair makes the busy days worthwhile.
“I like watching all the kids get so excited to go to the fair,” she said. “It’s really enjoyable here.”
