I need some information about the psychology of people who attend
state and county fairs in the U.S. I have found many sataistics on
fairs, their attractions, and their attendees, but almost zero social
commentary on what fairs mean to people - for example, what is the
cultural relevance of fairs to people these days? Also, is overall
attendance at state/county fairs declining, or perhaps rising and why?
Maybe due to our post 9/11 desire for Americana/patriotism? Thank
you!
Hello, rex8-ga!
Oh boy…….the memories of attending the county fair in my home state!
After thirty years, I can still remember the people, the animals, the
music, the smells, the rides, and constant hustle and bustle of adults
and kids. The annual fair provided some of the most concrete and
long-lasting memories of my childhood. Why? I believe it is because
fairs evoke a sense of community, belonging, commonality and nostalgia
for a time when life was less hurried, less complex, and less
disconnected. However, these are my own thoughts.
Why do people attend fairs? What do fairs mean to people? What does
the research reveal?
Celebration, fun, a desire for community, and a common sharing of our
cultural heritage.
Fairs help us “learn about each other.”
“Though these events are inherently fun, they're also deeply
serious, providing a means for us to gather, not only as individuals,
but as a collective whole. In some way, festivals are a mirror that
reflects back on who we are as a community and what we hold dear.”
“Indeed, the idea of tradition infused with the modern is an
important aspect of Humboldt's fairs and festivals, as many of them
allow us to remember the wisdom of different eras or different
cultures. Such festivals celebrate cultural heritage and allow us to
preserve a simpler, more beautiful awareness of the world that's
challenging to maintain in modern life.”
“In a nation where communities are increasingly becoming virtual,
genuine small-town charm is as rare as the gold people once flocked
here to find, and no less valuable.”
Read “Humboldt County Fairs and Festivals,” by Marci Nelligan at
http://www.thepalette.com/stories_00/fairsfestivals.html
A feeling of connection to our history, the earth and our agricultural
roots
“Agricultural fairs help Americans remember their nation's history.
Experts say such fairs are important because people need to remember
that they are connected to the Earth and its products. They say people
need to remember that they depend on animals for many things.” Read
“This is America,” by Cynthia Kirk. Indiana State Fair Broadcast.
(9/17/2001) at http://www.manythings.org/voa/01/010917tia_t.htm
“No other event defines a rural community better than the local
fair. It is a time to see fellow farmers and talk about the doings of
other fellow farmers. It is a time for catching up and reaching out.
We gather strength and hope from one another as we share our concerns
and our opinions.”
“As we attend the various county and state fairs throughout this
nation, farmers are noticing how many more non-farm people attend the
events than in the past. I like to think that they come not only to
share in our fun but also to share in the sense of community, to gain
energy and to regain the rural appreciation for the traditional family
values that have made America so great.”
Read “Fair Time is a Great Time,” by Bob Stallman. The Ag Agenda
(8/2002) at http://www.fb.com/views/agenda/2002/ag08-2002.html
“What sparks fairgoers to come back year after year is the
combination of entertainment and education that the fair offers…. now
that so many are removed from rural life, fairs remain a rare chance
to reflect on the gift of agriculture, while demonstrating at the same
time that animals are vital to human existence and deserving of our
protection and compassion. Humans have had an inseparable relationship
with animals and nature, as man has served as their sole caretaker for
centuries.” Read “Summer Time is Fair Time,” by David White. The Ohio
Farm Bureau Federation at
http://www.ofbf.org/ofbweb%5Cwofb1.nsf/pages/summer
The desire for peace, calm, and simple fun
“At a time when every thing is fast paced and high priced a person
can enjoy going to the fair. It does not cost anything and you can sit
and relax or talk to friends and neighbors. The fairgrounds are
themselves a thing of beauty. The buildings and fences are not marred
by graffiti and vandalism which shows the respect young residents have
for it.” Read “The Linn County Fair, Origin and History,” by Wayne
Schasteen. Linn County Fair and Rodea at
http://www.linncountyfair.org/history.html
The “picture-postcard setting” of Vermont has always been a draw for
those who like to leave the big cities for a taste of our country’s
rural roots. “All’s Fair?” by Kevin O’Connor. See Vermont (7/22/2002)
at http://seevermont.nybor.com/Story/50322.html
Annual Tradition
“The pounding of hooves blended with the whir of buggy wheels
Tuesday night at the Champaign County Fair. Some of the spectators
have been coming to the races for years. One fan said he'd been
attending for more than 40 years, or "about as long as they've been
going on." In the past, he said the races were cause enough for an
all-day celebration. "We used to come out here and have fried chicken
and stay all day," he said.
"We come here every year," said John Cutsinger of Allerton, Ill.
Read “Harness racing a favorite tradition at county fair,” by Brenna
Erford. Dailyillini.com (7/26/2001) at
http://www.dailyillini.com/jul01/jul26/news/stories/news01.shtml
To share in a common bond of helping one another.
"In certain instances our spirits can only strengthen when we have
less to distress us. Fairs and festivals help ease one cause for
concern through their economic impacts. What might arguably be just as
priceless are the strategies locals have devised to raise money for
worthy causes in the community, and fairs and festivals are among
those strategies. The annual Redwood Coast Dixieland Jazz Festival and
Blues by the Bay, both sponsored by the non-profit corporation Redwood
Coast Music Festivals, are examples of how fun events can also reap
huge rewards for the community……..Thanks to The Redwood Coast Music
Festivals, not only are we treated to some of the finest musical
performances around, we also have the pleasure of knowing that our
ticket may have gone to purchase the next Dizzy Gillespie's first
trumpet.” Read “Humboldt County Fairs and Festivals,” by Marci
Nelligan at http://www.thepalette.com/stories_00/fairsfestivals.html
Is attendance at fairs rising or declining, and why?
The article “All’s Fair?” by Kevin O’Connor. See Vermont (7/22/2002)
at http://seevermont.nybor.com/Story/50322.html covers some of the
factors fair organizers need to tackle in order to keep attendance up.
Competition from other forms of entertainment
Simple, “old-fashioned” fair entertainment simply doesn’t draw the
numbers to keep fairs economically viable anymore. Competing against
other forms of entertainment and devising ways to modernize
traditional fair attractions are necessary for attracting crowds.
In some areas, fair organizers are finding it difficult to compete
against other forms of entertainment. In Vermont, Orleans County Fair
President Phillip LaFontaine says, “Now there are so many things going
on, it’s hard to get the people out.”
Fair volunteers are increasing finding themselves “competing with an
afternoon weather forecast or evening television schedule.” “It wasn’t
that many years ago when kids used to put all their pennies and
nickels in a jar and save for the fair — that was the big event,”
George Rousseau says. “But there is just so much competition for the
entertainment dollar today. It’s a constant challenge to try to keep
up with that.”
“What excited people years ago might not hit their hot button
today,” Rousseau says. “We used to have something called the cattle
cavalcade — cows walking on the racetrack and the grandstand full of
people. But how people were entertained then and now are two totally
different things.”
Champlain will fill its 10,000-seat grandstand next month with names
like country singer Toby Keith, The Irish Tenors and Frankie Valli and
the Four Seasons. It also hopes to pull people onto its fairgrounds
with novelties like a life-size model milking cow.”
Gospel singers, demolition derbies and the “right: musical acts are
key to attracting the crowds. “People are very particular on who we
get for a band.” “If you chose the wrong one, they won’t come.”
Current fears may contribute to declining numbers
Another interesting reason fairgoers may stay away from county fairs
- the fear of hoof and mouth disease! Over 200 concerned citizens
attended a meeting in Peteluma, California recently to gain
reassurance from state and federal agricultural experts that “U.S.
fairs and livestock exhibitions are still a safe environment for
families.” Read “Experts Indicate U.S. Fairs Safe for People and
Animals.” Sonoma-Marin Fair at
http://www.sonoma-marinfair.org/extraevents.html
Overall, fair attendance isn’t necessarily on the decline.
“Washington County Fair and Field Days in East Montpelier kicked off
this year’s season last week with 4,000 visitors and a $20,000 budget.
Attendance leapt 1,000 from last year. Fair vice president Brett
Parker credits several factors: “Good weather, plus our new lawnmower
races brought in a few extra people.”
The desire to stay closer to home because of “the fear of terrorist
attacks at large landmarks” may actually contribute to higher
attendance at state and county fairs, according to Vermont fair
organizers. “All’s Fair?” by Kevin O’Connor. See Vermont (7/22/2002)
at http://seevermont.nybor.com/Story/50322.html
“The International Association of Fairs and Exhibitions estimates
that 150 million people attended agricultural fairs last year.
Attendance has held relatively steady for the past several years,
though demographics indicate fewer people are living in rural
communities as cities and suburbs continue to sprawl. Despite the
changes in demographics, the appetite for fairs remains strong.
Several fairs report their attendance has increased in recent years.”
Read “Summer Time is Fair Time,” by David White. The Ohio Farm Bureau
Federation at http://www.ofbf.org/ofbweb%5Cwofb1.nsf/pages/summer
The events of September 11 drew patriotic fairgoers with an abundance
of flags everywhere.
“The 82nd Durham Fair was the same as past fairs in many
ways—animals, rides, exhibits, food—but also different. Fair officials
knew the tragic events of September 11 would help shape this year’s
fair, as they have affected everything, but they weren’t sure how. "It
really could have gone either way," admit both fair president Bob
Bascom and vice president Gene Chiapetta. "We draw a lot of people
from Fairfield County, down into Westchester County, New York, and
there were so many lives lost from that area in the WTC attack that we
weren’t sure how it would impact the fair," concluded Bascom. The fact
that over 215,000 people attended this year says a lot not only about
the draw of this annual tradition, but also about the resiliency and
spirit of those who came, saw and enjoyed.”
“One thing immediately apparent was the multitude of flags, banners,
bunting and patriotic themes in abundant display throughout the
three-day event—there was the huge and very impressive American flag
proudly displayed on the back of the canning building overlooking the
llama barn, and there were the series of flags adorning the top of one
of the midway rides. Also in view were numerous smaller versions of
American flags outside of many of the barns and exhibits, not to
mention the flags and banners on many of the individual concessions
and booths.” Read “This Year’s Durham Fair Wrapped Up in Red, White
and Blue,” by Betsy White Booz. Town Times (10/5/2001) at
http://www.towntimes.com/News/2001/1005/General_News/063.html
I am sure there are many other reasons why many of us still love to
attend state and county fairs. The above articles highlight just a
few.
I, for one, can think of at least one more reason….and it is a very
important one! The cotton candy never seems to taste as good anywhere
else!!!!
umiat-ga
Google Search Strategy
why people attend county state fairs
+fairgoers more +patriotic
+tradition of the +county +fair CountyLine::
the Keith County Fair and Rodeo. Justin Ryan. Jonathan Straetker. Samantha respective areas of expertise. including state and county officials. and staff.
http://www.nacone.org/pdfs/Countylines/2007_july.pdfHOME |
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College: Excellent Candidates and ::
Psychology. Blackstone-NEY Ultrasonics. Full Erie County Historical Society. Interns Alumni attendees known as of 10/05/05. Others may be at the fair.
http://www.pserie.psu.edu/student/cdc/careerfairarchives.htmHOME |
Shooting Sports Program Still Gaining in Popularity::
Blaine County at State Syzemore entertained over 1,200 attendees during the. Friday assembly with their Tulsa State Fair, and are required
http://countyext.okstate.edu/blaine/blainecounty/newsletter_june2005.pdfHOME |
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