“Our state fair is a great state fair, Don’t miss it, don’t even be late.”
For some people, the words “state fair” call to mind the cheery images of the Rodgers and Hammerstein movie musical from which the above lyrics are taken.
“State Fair” first lit up the nation’s movie screens in 1945. Sixty years later, the fairs provide great entertainment and even inspiration, but their financial outlook isn’t quite as rosy.
In an era when most Americans live in cities and suburbs, the attractions of flower competitions, animal shows and carnival rides compete with a host of high-octane alternatives.
Still, fairs haven’t stood still over the last few decades, adding all sorts of non-agricultural attractions as well as expanding year- round use of fairgrounds.
That’s been the pattern in Pueblo, where the Colorado State Fair takes place beginning tomorrow. In addition to the traditional activities (animal shows, pie judging and 4-H competitions), there are concerts of all kinds, rodeo and events like sand sculpture, a grilled cheese sandwich eating contest, and what’s billed as a “cowboy poetry showdown.”
Although the fair’s location has been questioned occasionally for its distance from population centers, the fair draws widely. More than 60 percent of fair visitors are from outside Pueblo County, and fewer than 25 percent are rural, according to a 2003 economic impact study of the fair.
The fair’s general manager, Chris Wiseman, is working hard to raise revenues year-round, renting out facilities for everything from prep-sports tournaments to holiday bazaars to sales by Pueblo auto dealers.
The fair also has trimmed expenses by reducing its staff size and, in another effort, this year’s fair will run 11 days, compared to 16- and 17-day runs since 1993. Officials say that could save $320,000.
Still, the fair requires state support, and aid has dwindled during Colorado’s long- running budget crunch. The fair still is paying off the $7 million events center that was built in the 1990s and it loses $350,000 a year on state-mandated agricultural education programs.
There’s been talk of approaching the legislature for a $1.5 million bailout, but Wiseman thinks annual support of $300,000 to $500,000 a year would put the fair on sound financial footing. Even that’s a pipe dream unless voters approve Referendum C.
In the meantime, we hope you’ll look at the fair schedule and find time for a visit. As the song says, “Don’t miss it, don’t even be late.”
