CLATSOP FAIR MIXED SUCCESS

Clatsop County’s Fair Manager Gary Friedman (FREED-man) gave this year’s fair a grade of B plus in his report to the Board of Clatsop County Commissioners Wednesday night. 

“Let’s talk about why we get a B instead of an A, and that would be attendance.  Our attendance this year was basically flat.  Last year we had about 13,500 people at the fair. This year we were at about 13,700 despite a pretty aggressive advertising campaign to try and get more people to come out.  It didn’t really do much for us so we’re re-evaluating that.” 

Friedman said fair logistics were good, with all performers appearing, shows on time, 4-H participation good and no major incidents. One success was an increase in Fair revenues.

“Our carnival gate was up and our food vendors were also up, both of those entities pay a percentage to the fair.  It’s part of the way we make some of our money back, so we did well there. The livestock auction, the 4-H Livestock Auction was also up this year, about $7,000 over last year.  There was $187,000 raised by the kids this year at the livestock auction.”  

Friedman also had praise for the County’s talent show contestants.  The BMX show was a hit with kids, the reptile show went over well and the logging show was another success. 

Friedman said he hopes to attract over 15 thousand attendees for future fairs,  Commissioner Dirk Rohne praised Friedman for a successful fair, particularly the positive experiences and participation from 4-H youth.

Commissioner Scott Lee said he’d up the Fair’s grade from a B plus to an A minus.