Blame high costs, not the weather

Published 4:17 pm Monday, October 5, 2009

Regarding the Thursday article, “Fewer people visit Monroe fair”:

Messrs. Camp and Campbell need to look a little more inwardly than the weather to blame for this year’s decline in fair attendance. Such as a whopping $3 increase, from $7 to $10, for parking. Such as a big increase in wrist band costs for kids’ rides. Such as increases in many food court costs, or downsizing of portions to accommodate what undoubtedly were increases in costs to vendors.

All of this inexplicably done in the face of a massive downturn in our economy. These two gentlemen and others responsible for setting Evergreen State Fair prices may know a great deal about fairs, but haven’t a clue about marketing or cost/benefit comparisons forced upon families in our current economic climate.

Attempting to offset county budget woes with this “in your face” planning is unforgivable.

Ron Latimore

Snohomish