Summer isn’t the only time for a fair
Published 2:50 pm Monday, March 29, 2010
MONROE — There’s a chance to get an early taste of elephant ears, scones and a whole lot more at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds next month.
Call it a carnival, a minifair or an outdoors expo. Snohomish County is hosting its first-ever spring fair to promote the big Evergreen State Fair later in the year. Officials also see the earlier event as a promotion for all the outdoorsy recreation the region has to offer, from bicycling to hiking to kayaking.
“We hope to build it into a significant recreation-expo type event,” county parks director Tom Teigen said. “It’s a time to celebrate the fair and all it has to offer. It’s also a time to look at all the amazing activities and recreational pursuits that are available.”
Admission and parking are free.
The carnival begins April 22, a Thursday, and runs through April 25, a Sunday. Funtastic Traveling Shows of Portland, Ore., is supplying the rides and games. A package of seven rides and games should cost about $15, Teigen said.
The recreation expo starts on Saturday and continues on Sunday. It will feature a stage where Kent-based retailer REI will host presentations on trail running, mountain biking and climbing, among other topics. Presentations on another stage will focus on making award-winning fair entries, master gardening, 4-H and Future Farmers of America.
Volunteer “friends of” groups that maintain local parks are expected to attend, as are camping and cycling advocates. County parks staff welcomes more groups to sign up.
The expo and carnival were scheduled to coincide with other popular activities the same weekend: the Washington State Hunter and Jumper horsemanship show, the 4-H Dog Caper and drag racing.
Beyond showcasing rugged pastimes, the expo gives people their first chance to register for events at the Evergreen State Fair. This year, the big fair runs Aug. 26 to Sept. 6.
County Councilman Dave Somers, whose district includes the fairgrounds, said he took to the idea of the spring fair after Teigen presented it to the council.
“The council was all very enthusiastic,” Somers said. “I give the parks department credit for coming up with it.”
He and his colleagues hope the event will make better use of the fairgrounds year round.
“You’d like to utilize this facility a little more,” Councilman John Koster said.
More than 70 percent of fairgrounds revenue comes during the 12-day Evergreen State Fair. That puts the county in on delicate financial footing because fair revenue can swing by up to $1 million, depending on weather.
Parks officials blame inclement conditions for dampening last year’s turnout, when 715,000 people attended. That was off 6 percent from the 761,000 visitors during the rainy 2008 fair and a 19 percent slide from 882,000 in 2007.
The county generated nearly $3.8 million in revenue during last year’s fair — about $400,000 less than the $4.2 million average in recent years. The sub-par performance forced parks officials to take about $170,000 from a rainy-day fund. At that rate, the fair could burn though the fund in another two years.
County parks staff say they can pull off the spring carnival and expo without extra staff or money. In the worst-case scenario, with steady rain, Teigen expects it to net at least $10,000.
“That would be with a really rainy weekend,” he said. “On a nice, sunny weekend, we know we’ll be three, four, five times that amount.”
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
Spring fair
The Evergreen State Fairgrounds hosts its first Spring Recreation Expo and carnival April 22 through 25 (Thursday through Sunday).
Carnival: 4 to 10 p.m. April 22 and 23, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 24 and 25.
Expo: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 25.
Admission and parking: free
More info: Go to www.evergreenfair.org. To exhibit or participate in the Spring Recreation Expo, call 360-805-6700 or e-mail info@evergreenfair.org.
