Fair-goers spend less than usual in tough year
Special Coverage
Click here for our special section with all you need to know about the 2009 Rock County 4-H Fair
JANESVILLE — Brad Jacobson brought his two children to the Rock County 4-H Fair on Sunday for their annual trip, but he watched his expenses carefully once they got there.
"We picked armband day instead of a different day, that kind of thing," the South Beloit man said. "It's the little things. You eat more before you come."
The economy might be to blame for a dip in this year's fair attendance, and some fair-goers said they spent less on the grounds. Several vendors said sales were down this year but not devastatingly so.
On the plus side, fair-goers experienced beautiful weather for the second year in a row, surely a rarity in the fair's 80-year history.
Attendance was running about average for the first four days of the fair, but only 12,041 people walked through the gates Saturday, the lowest fifth-day total in more than 20 years.
Through Saturday, attendance was just under 71,000. That's almost 5,000 less than the average attendance for the first five days going back to 1987.
Linda DeCremer, Janesville, did her part to keep attendance up. She bought season passes for herself and her daughter and came four out of six days.
"It's something we look forward to every year," said DeCremer, who lives down the street from the fair.
Whereas most years she might have bought meals at the fair, this year the family ate at home and then had treats at the fair, she said.
That thriftiness drove sales down at several food stations, vendors said.
Jim Weidler, co-owner of Billie's Baked Potatoes, said sales were down slightly.
"Honestly, I probably thought it'd be a little worse," he said. "I didn't know what to expect."
Organizers certainly can't complain about the weather keeping people away this year, said Wayne Flury, fair board president. Just one day, Thursday, saw significant rain, and temperatures stayed nice and cool.
"This is a good benchmark year," he said.
The fair board tried to make better use of the grandstand this year, offering some afternoon entertainment such as a Johnny Cash tribute, the UW Marching Band and the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, he said.
"We knew (the economy) would have some effect, but we still gave everyone good value for their dollar," Flury said.
The acts and other events drew Chris Abrahamson, Plymouth Township, to the fair five out of six days even though she didn't have a season pass. In retrospect, a pass would have been a good idea, she said.
There just seemed to be something she wanted to see every day, whether it was the talent show, the marching band, the silent drill team or the beef show.
She spent as much as she always does at the fair, she said.
"There's too much good food here not to spend," she said.
Aug 4, 2009 at 7:15 p.m.
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Maryfan - Excellent post! You're so right, having fun and making wonderful memories doesn't have to be expensive. Go to the fair and see what's there...and there is PLENTY!
Aug 4, 2009 at 11:40 a.m.
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demands the question
Aug 4, 2009 at 10:46 a.m.
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The Gazette booth at the Fair was giving out pens made by the Hub pen Company. With the Local Matters emphasis the Gazette promotes, it begs the question- why didn't they choose to use pens decorated right here in Janesville by the employees at Sanford? Given the headlines today about the possibility of loosing the plant here, the Gazette has to bear some responsibilty for not supporting our local business. It DOES matter where we use our purchasing dollars, and the Gazette let our community down
Aug 4, 2009 at 10:13 a.m.
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I think you also might need to consider the large amount of families who have a soldier deployed. I know that is why I didn't go this year.
Usually my husband and I go with some friends or go just us but with him being gone it just didn't make sense to go.
Aug 4, 2009 at 9:24 a.m.
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walworth county fair does NOT serve beer either!
Aug 4, 2009 at 9:18 a.m.
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The only white trash at the fair must have been the people looking for beer. The Rock County 4-H Fair is a youth fair. It is not about the midway and entertainment. Those are just extras. This year we spent 52 hours at the fair and $25 total. We have 4 kids, 3 of which are in 4-H. Other years we have spent more, but we just didn't have it this year. But the kids were thrilled with everything they did outside of 4-H stuff. They came home with bags of free goodies from vendor tents including t-shirts, water bottles, frisbees, balloons, coloring books, pens, pencils, erasers, stickers and much much more. They watched farm animal judging (we're city folks), the dress an animal contest, Heatwave Show Choir, the UW Marching Band, grandstand entertainment, and various entertainers in the Craig Avenue Stage. The kids spent many hours in judging, performing a play, being onstage on the grandstand Tuesday night to receive an award for youth leadership, and having fun with their friends. They spent time in the barns and the Ag tent learning about animals. I have had a season pass to the fair for the past 22 years and spent many weeks there with my parents for all of my childhood even though I was never in 4-H and my parents didn't spend money on rides. My family eagerly awaits the fair every year.
Aug 3, 2009 at 11:27 p.m.
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If beer determines whether you attend a fair or not, better to have you go elsewhere.
Aug 3, 2009 at 10:45 p.m.
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This year my husband and I only spent $44.00 at the fair. We used to spend that in a day. We were at the fair every day. We volunteer in one of the many Departments. So I am insulted by the comment of being a "White Trash" Fair. You have insulted my extended family who bring exhibits to the fair. You have insulted the memory of some of the most outstanding men and women in Rock County. And you have insulted my children who have shown for years and this was our last fair since our youngest son has decided to join the Marines after he graduates. Oh yeah by the way My 3 "White Trash" 4-H/FFA kids have all been on the Court of Honor. You have no clue about the Fair. So go Spend at Walworth County, Go spend at the Dells or Great America cuz the fair is so much more than food and the Midway..........next year we will be back again volunteering once more
Aug 3, 2009 at 10:43 p.m.
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werpknarly: AMEN the fair is so much more than the midway, entertainment and food (although I really enjoy the food part). The kids worked hard all year on some projects just to be able to show at the fair for one week. They have to be spotless in the show ring, and know their stuff. If you ever looked at the judging sheets you would know that (points based on poise, appearance, knowledge, how they handle their animal etc...).Trophies and blue ribbons don't come easy. It takes long hours and hard work.
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As for not having beer, that is a good thing, it is a youth fair. It is not a Riverfest,Summerfest, or state fair venue where there are multiple adult areas. It is about the kids showing in 4-H & FFA...personally it is a good thing that we can show the youth you can have a good time without having alcohol around. Besides once you allow beer, I am sure the insurance would go through the roof and it would drive up admission prices for everyone(IMHO).
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Oh and by the way some of the food was not too badly priced, I was able to get a burger, fries and a malt all for $6.50, That is not much more than what you pay at McDonalds for a meal/combo. Plus the money benefited several area organizations (farm bureau, churches, and optimist club) AND I can tell you I spent double that at State Fair last year, for the same meal.So how can our fair be considered to high priced?
Aug 3, 2009 at 10:32 p.m.
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Truth is- it is BEYOND over-priced..All of it. The Fair lost its appeal and "down home" feel years ago.
Aug 3, 2009 at 10:23 p.m.
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not sure where you found the white trash, dont mistake hard working kids in WORK cloths. for white trash... watch a Showmanship class get judged, you will find them head to toe in spotless WHITE whites, black belts and black, shoes. and the animals will be cleaner yet !
Aug 3, 2009 at 10:20 p.m.
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He doesn’t like white trash AND cant find a beer... Its a YOUTH FAIR, Next time get off the midway. if you look, you might find a HUGH fresh grilled hamburgers for $2, 20oz bottled water for $1.50. $1.50 hotdogs. REAL MALTS(its there and its my secret). You might also find something besides XBOX for your kids. look around and find a project that interest them.... 4H is so much more than farming. http://4-h.org/programs_mission_mandates... ...FFA too…http://www.ffa.org/index.cfm?method=c_about.stats ... Little America is great for rides, 4H fair is great, if you get off the midway.
Aug 3, 2009 at 9:42 p.m.
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not sure the entertainment was to blame, Beloit Riverfest ticket sales were off nearly 50 percent. Saturday was DEAD all day long ! the midway EMPTY at 4pm, Sunday was PACKED, it was wristband day AND project pickup!
Aug 3, 2009 at 9:39 p.m.
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I spent more money this year than I have in the last 10 years. That is because we actually went to the fair this year. Probably won't ever go again, total waste of money. Better of going to Little America or Great America, less white trash. Spent $80 kids got to ride a few rides and eat some overpriced food and I can't even buy a cold beer. I think the Rock County White Trash fair is about the only one that does not sell beer.
Aug 3, 2009 at 9:21 p.m.
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Sure the economy could partly be to blame but maybe its the lack of quality acts,dilapidated buildings,lack of space and lousy parking.The fair will not reach its full potential until it moves to a new,larger location.Think at all the lost revenue year after year that they could be making at a newer venue.May people opt to go to other county fairs or the state fair instead of the Rock county fair,I have not gone in years and I would if it was better as a whole.Besides that this years weather was near perfect for a fair week.What a shame for Rock county.We need to push for a new fairgrounds soon or it might be another questionable event to be held because they are unable to break even.
Aug 3, 2009 at 8:43 p.m.
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The fair is going to need to offer more than tribute bands for me and my family to attend.
Walworth puts on a nice fair, Rock county has along way to go to better them.
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