Fair Board Won’t Seek Bids to Run Swap Meet
From Times Staff Reports
Directors of the Orange County Fair voted Thursday not to solicit bids for running the weekly swap meet, choosing instead to negotiate with the operator of the last 34 years.
Nearly two dozen swap meet vendors and community leaders urged the board to retain Tel Phil Enterprises. “It’s wrong to use a bidding process, because you will get the highest bidder and not the best company,” said David Batistelli, one of the vendors.
Tel Phil pays the fair 35% of gross receipts. American Park ‘n Swap had offered 50%.
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