Agricultural Fairs

[jensco]

Just had the local Ag Fair yesterday. Not like I remember them I must say and this is a small fair by rating standards. However...

There were lots of horses (light and heavy) with their handlers. No cattle - apparently a larger cattle show ran the same day elsewhere. A few politicians to show faces at the opening ceremonies. A local cuisine cookoff - a neat treat! A handful of Ag displays (farm safety etc.). A very small petting farm. A fairly large Home Living display. NO "Joe" public. It is really sad! Are the fairs going the way of the dinosaur? Are fairs in your neck of the woods doing "out of the box" type things? Is the role of the local Ag Society going to have to make drastic changes?

I would love to hear your thoughts. In light of the weather, try to stay cool all. ...Jensco.

[dalek]

We have 5 fairs within about 12 miles of here, 4 towns of 1500-2000 and one city of 45,000ish. If it wasn't for the midways the 4 smaller ones wouldn't exist anymore, they have flea market-type setups in the arenas or curling rinks, fairly big midway, and not usually much else unless it's horse pulls or demo derbies. Some cattle shows but usually pretty slim pickings anymore.

[cowman]

Our local fair starts this week. Used to be worth going to but hardly worth the effort anymore. Agriculture plays a very small part anymore in this fair. The main thing anymore is the mid-way which is always hot, smelly and very loud. About one walk through that pretty well cures me for another year!
They still do a booming business at the casino and the beer gardens...why I don't know as we have two big casinos here that operate year round and a bar on every corner! I usually just go to watch the pony chucks.