Solano Fair Boasts Attendance, Revenue Increases

Special to Dixon Patch

The 2012 Solano County Fair concluded its successful five day run this past Sunday, August 5, with both attendance and admission revenue figures surpassing the previous year.

Total attendance reached 42,613, a 4.93% increase, and Fair admission revenue was up 6.07%.

Additionally, carnival revenue was up 5.19% and revenue from food and beverage concessionaires was up 5.41 percent.

“Many factors contributed to this year’s accomplishments including great weather and Fair dates that come at a perfect time to catch people after they’re home from summer vacations, but before school starts,” commented Board of Directors President Gary Falati.  “Most importantly, the Solano County community really responded to our ongoing focus on local exhibits, entertainment and attractions.  Our success was possible because of the shared efforts of the Fair and the many local groups, organizations and individuals that participated in the Fair whether that was in our competitive exhibits, performance stages, livestock competitions, Cultural Pavilion or County & Cities Expo.  We can’t say thank you enough for those partnerships and to our Fair guests for making this another outstanding year!”

The business community also showed overwhelming support of the Fair through sponsorships, contributing a 70.74 percent increase in sponsorship revenue.  Sponsorships support the Fair in a variety of ways and provide multiple benefits to the sponsors through unique opportunities to showcase their business to Fair guests.

“We continue to focus our Fair efforts on all things local and that is proving to be the right direction for our Fair as evidenced by the support we are receiving in all areas, including our sponsors,” stated Fair General Manager Mike Paluszak.  “We are proud of the guest feedback we received this year which praised the variety and quality of entertainment, the cleanliness of the grounds and the safe, family-friendly environment.  All  these reasons and more are responsible for the growth trend we have seen over the past two years.  We look forward to keeping that momentum going next year with another quality, value-packed Fair in 2013.”

Competitive exhibits also saw an increase this year with the number of exhibitors up 11.14 percent and the number of entries up 5.4 percent.  Culminating the competitive livestock exhibits on Sunday, the Jack and Bernice Newell Junior Livestock Auction brought in $68,670.

This year’s auction saw more small animal entries and less large animal entries than last year.  This may be the result of the lower cost and less risk to raise small animals, as well as the ability for competitors to raise small animals in more urban areas that may not be zoned for larger livestock.

It is anticipated that the Solano County Fair will be scheduled next year for the first Wednesday through Sunday of August, the same days it has run for the last two years.  The 2013 dates will be finalized by the Solano County Fair Board of Directors in the coming months.  The focus will continue to be on being the Fair of, by and for Solano County, and on being the best entertainment value of the summer.