Despite rumors that the Marshall County Fair would not take place this summer, officials said the annual event will go on as usual.

Beth Bertram, Marshall County Fair coordinator, said people were concerned the fair wasn't going to happen this year because the fairgrounds are leased to gas drillers to park their mobile homes during the grounds' off-season.

"We have made our grounds available to the groups -- the pipeliners working in this area -- to have some places to park their trailers in this area, and we also have some companies using that as a job site out there," Bertram said.

Bertram said fairgrounds officials have done this in the past, but there have been more vehicles parked on the grounds over the last year than ever before. In all, there are about 70 temporary mobile homes set up at the site.

But, by July 1, everyone parked there will have to leave temporarily so coordinators can get ready for the fair.

"We talk with them prior to them coming here, and they know the fair is coming in July, and at that time they will have to be out," Bertram said.

She said she's actually glad that there was concern about the fair because it shows how many people care about the annual event, which is scheduled to take place from July 22-28.

Once the fair is over, the campers and mobile homes for the gas industry workers will be welcome back. Bertram said in the past year, much money has been made in renting the space and that revenue will be put toward improving the fairgrounds.

"We've put in a new arena, we've done work in the horse barn -- just every area down there has benefited from the money we've gotten from the fairground being in use," Bertram said.