State fair a financial boon

For many North Carolinians, the State Fair means lots of cotton candy, carousels and concerts. But for the city of Raleigh and the state as a whole, the fair also means a lot of money.

Martin Armes, director of communications and marketing for the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, said that if 700,000 people attend the fair this year, there will be a $17.1 million impact on the area.

Though most of this money will go into Raleigh, Armes said there will be a residual effect in surrounding areas.

The fair has averaged 721,914 visitors since 1988. But 836,319 attended in 2004, resulting in more than $10 million in revenue for the fair, said Brian Long, director of the N.C. State Fair Press Office.

"We would love to see that same attendance or better this year," he said.

Armes gives credit to the fair for adding more nightly entertainment in recent years, which has led to more people staying in the capital city overnight, meaning more money for local hotels, restaurants, gas stations and shops.

Long said the fair also provides temporary jobs for a number of people to work for vendors.

Despite the excitement and revenue fair promoters hope to stimulate, they recognize that its success is at the will of the weather.

"Excuse the pun, but rain dampens attendance," Long said.

In 2002, attendance dipped below 700,000 when four days of rain and cool weather kept many people away..

Long said the fair, which operates without any appropriations from the state, gets much of its revenue from the carnival operator. The operator pays the fair for every ticket sold in exchange for the privilege of having its services on the fairgrounds.

This year's operator is Wade Shows of Michigan, which will pay the fair about $5.91 for every person who buys a ticket. An adult ticket costs $6 at the gate.

Tiffany Budd, state fair promotions specialist, said the fair's sponsors also generate money. There is a starting rate of $8,500 for a company to have a booth at the fairgrounds.

She said the fair only makes $150,000 from sponsors.

But she emphasized that sponsors are more valuable than their monetary contributions because of their partnerships and relationships.

Long said the fair, which originally began in 1853 so farmers could share knowledge and learn more efficient techniques, still showcases the state's $60 billion agriculture industry.

"We want people to reconnect with North Carolina's heritage, which is increasingly important as we become a more urban society," he said.

"(Agriculture still) will play a key role in North Carolina's future."

 

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.