Mississippi Fair Replaces Pay Phones with COWs

This seems like something that should have been done a few years back, but the Neshoba County Fair in Neshoba, Mississippi, only replaced their payphones with temporary towers this year. Neshoba County is known for its lack of technology, but the county fair has made it impossible to cut out cell phone technology altogether. WLOZ-TV reported, “Family and friends return yearly to the fair and its 598 cabins in the red clay hills of East Mississippi. They share good food and old stories. Few modern amenities are available. Air conditioning was only added to many of the cabins within the past decade, and some fairgoers griped about it. The cell phone though has managed to carve out a spot in the Neshoba County Fair without much objection. Near the carnival rides, a saleswoman for Nextel and SunCom said she’s sold lots of phone accessories at her booth.” Because cell phones have grown in popularity in the area, BellSouth finally stopped installing temporary pay phones in the 15 to 20 booths on fairgrounds. “They started phasing them out last year,” said Doug Johnson, manager of the Neshoba Fair Association.”We really had to do some arm-twisting to get them back. Lots of people have come up to me asking about the pay phones.” Three years ago, board members of the Fair Association brought in temporary cell towers. Three cellular companies have lease agreements with the Fair Association. “While fairgoers get better reception, the fair gets phones and pocket change. SunCom pays $750 to place a temporary tower on the ground. CenturyTel pays a year-round $1,200 fee for its permanent tower that serves customers in the Philadelphia-area when the fair’s not in town. Cingular lends the board members 18 phones with unlimited calling. Johnson said the phones are helpful with keeping in touch with board members and in dealing with emergencies,” WLOX-TV explained.