County fairs reversing declines in attendance
Montgomery County Fair enjoys upward trend in recent years.
Hungry fairgoers shop for food Wednesday, Aug. 31, the first day of the Montgomery County Fair. The fair continues through Labor Day.By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer
Dayton, Ohio Daily News
September 2, 2011
As entertainment options grow and agriculture communities shrink, the county fair tradition appears to be thriving.
County fairs aren’t big money makers — fair managers say they’re happy just to break even — but attendance is a different story. Organizers say growing crowds on the midway and enticing families with children through the gate and into the barns is the key to a successful fair.
Attendance at the Montgomery County Fair, which runs through Monday, is down about 20 percent over a decade ago, but the trend in recent years shows an upward swing with 82,000 people walking through the gate last year. Fair attendance increased about 10 percent from 2005 to 2010.
In rural Darke County, fair patronage is soaring with more than 203,000 visitors last year and gate receipts of more than $500,000. While Miami County had a dip in patrons last year, fair goers topped 112,000 this summer.
“I see county fairs in a stable trend, if not upwards,” Caroline McColloch, manager of the Miami County Fair said. “They’re not going away anytime soon.”
County fairs aren’t big money makers — fair managers say they’re happy just to break even — but attendance is a different story. Organizers say growing crowds on the midway and enticing families with children through the gate and into the barns is the key to a successful fair.
Attendance at the Montgomery County Fair, which runs through Monday, is down about 20 percent over a decade ago, but the trend in recent years shows an upward swing with 82,000 people walking through the gate last year. Fair attendance increased about 10 percent from 2005 to 2010.
In rural Darke County, fair patronage is soaring with more than 203,000 visitors last year and gate receipts of more than $500,000. While Miami County had a dip in patrons last year, fair goers topped 112,000 this summer.
“I see county fairs in a stable trend, if not upwards,” Caroline McColloch, manager of the Miami County Fair said. “They’re not going away anytime soon.”
Jan Underwood/Staff Photographer Maddie Cleveland of Germantown gets her change after paying to get into the Montgomery County Fair Wednesday, Aug. 31. The fair continues through Labor Day.
Don Michael, president of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society Board of Trustees believes county fairs are more relevant than ever.
The Montgomery County Fairgrounds is on much-sought-after real estate across from Miami Valley Hospital. For years developers have talked about finding better uses for the property, but Michael couldn’t disagree more.
“In 41 years we’ll celebrate our 200th fair,” he said. “I expect we’ll be here.”
GuideStar, a database of nonprofit groups that contains financial filings, indicates that the Montgomery County Agricultural Society reported a significant decrease in fund balances on its 990 form for 2009 compared to the year before. Net assets fell from $128,591 to $80,045, due to decreases in program service revenue, investment income and other revenue, while salaries increased.READ MORE AT:http://www.daytondailynews.com/entertainment/county-fairs-reversing-declines-in-attendance-1244789.html
The Montgomery County Fairgrounds is on much-sought-after real estate across from Miami Valley Hospital. For years developers have talked about finding better uses for the property, but Michael couldn’t disagree more.
“In 41 years we’ll celebrate our 200th fair,” he said. “I expect we’ll be here.”
GuideStar, a database of nonprofit groups that contains financial filings, indicates that the Montgomery County Agricultural Society reported a significant decrease in fund balances on its 990 form for 2009 compared to the year before. Net assets fell from $128,591 to $80,045, due to decreases in program service revenue, investment income and other revenue, while salaries increased.READ MORE AT:http://www.daytondailynews.com/entertainment/county-fairs-reversing-declines-in-attendance-1244789.html
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