Warm temps, more entertainment lifts attendance at Clark County Fair
As this year's Clark County Fair headed into its final weekend, there seemed to be plenty to smile about for fairgoers, event organizers and vendors.
Though exact figures for the 2010 event had not been released as of VBJ's press time, according to organizers attendance for the opening day of the 142-year-old fair easily exceeded last year's numbers.
To explain the apparent year-to-year jump in visitors, Clark County Fair public relations manager Jim Beriault credited several factors, including increased entertainment offerings, access to the renamed Sleep Country Amphitheater and warm temperatures on opening weekend.
"In 2009, the weather wasn't so cooperative," Beriault said. "This year, it's been a combination of a lot of variables playing into our favor."
Total attendance in 2009 was 264,998, down 8 percent from the year before, according to Justin Kobluk, executive director of the Clark County Event Center, which runs the Clark County Fair.
According to Beriault, attendance thus far this year might have received a boost from what he called a "successful experiment" – now in its second year – of allowing fairgoers access to the Amphitheater to see a lineup including popular country singer Miranda Lambert and German heavy metal band the Scorpions.
"In addition to the Amphitheater, we've also increased the amount of free grandstand entertainment," he said. "So that seems to be paying off really well."
After a mixed-bag for more than a few vendors due to rain and cool temperatures bedeviling last year's fair, one big-ticket item seller had plenty to celebrate in 2010 – at least, so far.
For Dan Howard, president of Arctic Spas Northwest, sales at midweek at his tent during this year's fair boded well for his business. "Sales are already looking to be double what we had last year," he said.
As of Tuesday morning, Howard sold 20 spa units, as opposed to 23 for the entire 10-day event last year.
Elsewhere at the fairgrounds, Jeff Ivarsen, owner of Premier Patio and Awning, Inc., was noticeably less ecstatic, reporting flat year-to-year sales.
"I've been here for 14 years and it seems we get the same amount of people each year," Ivarsen said.
One thing that has definately changed this year from fairs past, business sponsors – many of them hit by a continuing regional economic slump – are looking to stretch their money a lot farther, according to Beriault.
"A lot of businesses are seeing sponsorship as a way to reach people," he said. "The days of just hanging your banner are over."
Editorial Intern Josh Ojala contributed to this report.
