Post by newsfeeder on Jul 10, 2006 7:59:36 GMT -5
There is one drawback to having no admission fee at the Oswego County Fair this year: Organizers aren't sure how many people came.
"I can't tell you exactly," said Oswego County Agricultural Society President Jerry Thomas.
However, Thomas said ticket sales for the demolition derbies were up about 15 percent. And, he said, "the midway was up well over 40 percent."
Thomas said he hopes to have a better idea of how many people attended the fair from June 29 to the Fourth of July when he gets more information from vendors.
But he said fair organizers are already planning on sticking with the free admission and parking policy next year.
"I think everybody's convinced to continue with it," he said Friday.
Lacona fire Chief Michael Kastler is a big fan of free admission.
"I definitely think the free admission is a big selling point," he said.
Kastler said the fire department's food stand did great business, "about double of what we did the year before."
Kastler said that this year the stand had repeat customers as people returned to the fair for lunch and dinner. He said the stand ran out of food a couple of times.
While the turnout might become clearer soon, Thomas said it would be two months before enough bills come in and checks go out to know how successful the fair was financially in 2006.
Thomas has decided that whatever the results, he will not return as president of the fair in 2007.
Thomas has been involved in the fair for decades, and members of the agricultural society asked him to serve as president this year.
The county legislator, 66, who represents Sandy Creek, said he has some health problems.
"It's not really the best thing for my health," he said of running the six-day event.
from www.syracuse.com
"I can't tell you exactly," said Oswego County Agricultural Society President Jerry Thomas.
However, Thomas said ticket sales for the demolition derbies were up about 15 percent. And, he said, "the midway was up well over 40 percent."
Thomas said he hopes to have a better idea of how many people attended the fair from June 29 to the Fourth of July when he gets more information from vendors.
But he said fair organizers are already planning on sticking with the free admission and parking policy next year.
"I think everybody's convinced to continue with it," he said Friday.
Lacona fire Chief Michael Kastler is a big fan of free admission.
"I definitely think the free admission is a big selling point," he said.
Kastler said the fire department's food stand did great business, "about double of what we did the year before."
Kastler said that this year the stand had repeat customers as people returned to the fair for lunch and dinner. He said the stand ran out of food a couple of times.
While the turnout might become clearer soon, Thomas said it would be two months before enough bills come in and checks go out to know how successful the fair was financially in 2006.
Thomas has decided that whatever the results, he will not return as president of the fair in 2007.
Thomas has been involved in the fair for decades, and members of the agricultural society asked him to serve as president this year.
The county legislator, 66, who represents Sandy Creek, said he has some health problems.
"It's not really the best thing for my health," he said of running the six-day event.
from www.syracuse.com