You do not have to look at the Federal government to lie about our economic conditions, claiming all is well. Look at how people spend their money and you see the truth.
“Preliminary data suggests Ventura County Fair attendance fell nearly 79,000 people this year and, if the final numbers don’t grow, will hit its lowest mark in more than 20 years.
The unofficial count shows 254,393 people attended the fair, compared to a reported 333,000 last year and 270,000 in 2022. The fair routinely attracted more than 300,000 people before the COVID-19 pandemic, dipping under that mark in 2018 for the first time since 2002.”
Yet with about 25% FEWER attendees, revenues were up. In other words, they raised prices to limit people attending in hopes those that do will spend more money. This Fair Board needs to be replaced, they no longer represent the community, just the rich. “Though attendance fell, revenue appears to have risen. The preliminary data shows revenues of about $9.5 million. A year ago, then-fairgrounds CEO Jen McGuire said the 2023 fair brought in about $9 million in revenue.”
Preliminary data suggests Ventura County Fair attendance hit 20-plus-year low
Though attendance fell, revenue appears to have risen.
Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star, 9/8/24 https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2024/09/05/ventura-county-fair-attendance-revenue-2024-data/75086480007/
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Preliminary data suggests Ventura County Fair attendance fell nearly 79,000 people this year and, if the final numbers don’t grow, will hit its lowest mark in more than 20 years.
The unofficial count shows 254,393 people attended the fair, compared to a reported 333,000 last year and 270,000 in 2022. The fair routinely attracted more than 300,000 people before the COVID-19 pandemic, dipping under that mark in 2018 for the first time since 2002.
Though attendance fell, revenue appears to have risen. The preliminary data shows revenues of about $9.5 million. A year ago, then-fairgrounds CEO Jen McGuire said the 2023 fair brought in about $9 million in revenue.
Fair officials did not return calls about attendance and revenue figures but emphasized earlier the numbers are still being verified. Heidi Ortiz, the fairground’s co-interim CEO, reported at an August board meeting that revenue data had been sent to board members but would not released to the public until it had been finalized.
The Star obtained the revenue and attendance data from the California Department of Food and Agriculture through a public records request. The agency provides oversight to fairs.
The data suggests the jump in revenue comes at least partly through the fair’s new VIP tickets program that allowed fairgoers to buy tickets in a special area of the grandstand arena for shows and concerts. Fairgoers still had the option of going to shows for free as they had in years past. The program brought in about $921,000, according to the preliminary data.
Daily general admission ticket prices at the fairgrounds rose $5 over 2023, but admission revenues still fell more than $300,000. Revenue in several other categories also fell, including carnival, parking and the junior livestock auction.
Ortiz reported in August that fair alcohol sales were up this year. She said shuttle ridership also increased
