Long before this year’s Canyon County Fair, held last weekend, was on many Caldwell residents’ minds, 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) participants were raising livestock to be shown and sold there — and the Caldwell City Council was making plans that would impact a pivotal location used by exhibitors near the fairgrounds.
In February, Caldwell formally entered into a development agreement to construct a Marriott-branded hotel at what was known as the “dirt lot” directly next to the fairgrounds. Ground was broken in early June, with a planned completion date of May 2026.
When the prospect first came before the city council last fall, the move was met with opposition from many residents concerned about issues like parking inconvenience — especially for families who show animals at the county fair…