Winston-Salem Takes Steps To Change Dixie Classic Fair Name

The Dixie Classic Fair in Winston-Salem will get a new name. The process for the change was discussed Wednesday during a committee planning meeting.

City Council directed staff to move forward with the process after several residents voiced concerns at a recent council meeting.

Some residents say “Dixie Classic” evokes images of slavery and the Confederacy.  Last month, Winston-Salem removed a Confederate statue from downtown.

Several members of the fair committee objected to a news release about the change that city officials wanted to send out Wednesday, saying it appeared to portray the panel as pushing for it.

Ben Rowe, Assistant City Manager, says the public is invited to make suggestions.

“Folks will have an opportunity to submit ideas through the city's social media platforms, through the city's citizen telephone feedback line, through email, and then through this public input meeting,” says Rowe.

That public meeting on May 7 will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Home and Garden Building.

The new name for the Dixie Classic Fair would go into effect in 2020.

Winston-Salem City council is expected to make a decision on what that will be in August.

*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news