State Fair sees drop in attendance

**Tornado man** · 08-22-2010, 10:33 PM

Looks like it won't hit the million mark for the first time in years. I'd suggest they do something about the prices. The $10 for parking is a little high, as are the charges for food and drinks. I paid a ridiculous $11 for a large beer.
I won't be going back next year.

State Fair Attendance Numbers Lag - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines

**capitalcityguy** · 08-22-2010, 10:44 PM

$11 for beer? I never saw that. Where the heck did you pay that and if you did, there's no wonder someone is charging that much if there are people willing to pay that much.

Granted, it isn't cheap, but there is tons of free stuff and if you lower prices, then you'll either lose or greatly reduce free shows.

Also, it seem whenever someone is complianing about prices, you always find out:

* they paid $10 to get in -- there are discounted entry tickets for sales at multiple locations prior to the fair. There is zero reason to pay full price.

* they paid $10 for parking - it is almost legendary that the modest neighborhood homeowners around the fairground allow people to park on their front lawns. Most charge $5...and it you're willing to simply drive around a bit, you can find free on-street parking.

My point: my experience is that those that seem to complain the most post-fair about prices seem to have done the least prior to the fair to determine the best way to get a fair price for the Fair (pun intended).

**Tornado man** · 08-22-2010, 10:49 PM

I believe it was at the Steer 'n Stein - beer was $5 for 12 oz., $9 for 24 oz., and $11 for 30 oz.

And also - $8 for a corn dog - c'mon.

**jsb** · 08-22-2010, 10:52 PM

I think the flooding the first couple of days and the hot weather had more to do with the bad attendence then anything.

I park at a church on Grand Ave about 7 blocks from the fair every year for $6. I'd suggest parking there. It really is a great place to park.....your car isn't blocked in like it is when you park in someone's yard and I figure that the church probably uses my money for something good.

I have no idea on the beer prices, I am not all that into the fair food. I go to the Pork Producers tent for a pork loin sandwich and I go to the Dairy Barn for a milkshake, and if I am there a long time a lemonaide and that's it. I've never had any of that crap on a stick or that other stuff.

**capitalcityguy** · 08-22-2010, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by jsb

I think the flooding the first couple of days and the hot weather had more to do with the bad attendence then anything.

I park at a church on Grand Ave about 7 blocks from the fair every year for $6. I'd suggest parking there. It really is a great place to park.....your car isn't blocked in like it is when you park in someone's yard and I figure that the church probably uses my money for something good.

I have no idea on the beer prices, I am not all that into the fair food. I go to the Pork Producers tent for a pork loin sandwich and I go to the Dairy Barn for a milkshake, and if I am there a long time a lemonaide and that's it. I've never had any of that crap on a stick or that other stuff.

I hear that sales of "crap on a stick" were very disappointing this year. It seems people couldn't get past the smell...

**capitalcityguy** · 08-22-2010, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by Tornado man

I believe it was at the Steer 'n Stein - beer was $5 for 12 oz., $9 for 24 oz., and $11 for 30 oz.

And also - $8 for a corn dog - c'mon.

OK...the full disclosure helps. 30 oz is a bit different than the standard 12oz cup. Also, I'm not saying it is a bargain, but I know the $8 corn dog was not the stardard size. Footlong maybe?

**im4isu** · 08-22-2010, 11:02 PM

But there was a 50% increase in tattoos, 25% increase in mullets, and a 68% decrease in the number of people with a full set of teeth. Geez people, put down the pipe and pick up a tooth brush (and for some I mean tooth brush as in a single tooth)!

**Tornado man** · 08-22-2010, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by capitalcityguy

OK...the full disclosure helps. 30 oz is a bit different than the standard 12oz cup. Also, I'm not saying it is a bargain, but I know the $8 corn dog was not the stardard size. Footlong maybe?

It was the footlong.
I go to the fair for the exhibits, rides/entertainment for the kids, and the food. The prices have become outrageous, IMO. Also, I'm sure they appreciate on the walk-up crowd as well the the plan-ahead types - therefore the $10 gate admission has hurt them.
If they would cut the gate admission in half, they'd make that up quickly in concession and entertainment sales. So much of fair spending is impulsive.

**IAm4State** · 08-22-2010, 11:24 PM

JSB hit it on the head, too hot and too wet most days.

We usually go for two days, and two motels stays for the fair. We love it, and will continue support it. Our home state doesn't even have a state fair anymore, so we count it as a privilege just to go.

Because our focus is on livestock & horse shows, maybe we don't see it as all that expensive compared to maybe the concert & beer crowd.

As for the prices, discount tickets ahead of time, and just know who has the best prices on stuff. Example water: You can buy it everywhere for $3.00, most places for $2.00, but only a few places have it for $1.75. Just mark your map, and away you go! Same goes for food.

**capitalcityguy** · 08-22-2010, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Tornado man

It was the footlong.
I go to the fair for the exhibits, rides/entertainment for the kids, and the food. The prices have become outrageous, IMO. Also, I'm sure they appreciate on the walk-up crowd as well the the plan-ahead types - therefore the $10 gate admission has hurt them.
If they would cut the gate admission in half, they'd make that up quickly in concession and entertainment sales. So much of fair spending is impulsive.

Maybe...I dont' know...and I won't pretend to know.

I do know there are people that work full-time putting the Fair together each year and crunching the numbers and deciding what makes the most sense. You and I can speculate on a message board, but we obviously don't have the same insight as those making the decision on pricing every year.

I'll grant you...maybe they are completely dropping the ball. I just can't say one way or the other but recent history shows the fair is doing very well. I don't think anyone is surprised by the slight drop in attendance this year given the economy and the weather.

**Me State** · 08-23-2010, 02:43 AM

I know of a few large employers that normally provide their employees with free fair ticket packages that did not do that this year. I am sure that had a large negative impact also.

**swiacy** · 08-23-2010, 05:28 AM

I have a close friend who is a huge commercial exhibitor at the Fair. He thinks that the Fair Board is nuts. The reason the food/beer/entry prices are so high is that the Fair takes a large percentage of each sale. I have no idea why the Fair has increased their take but I hope, in fairness (pun), that they are plowing (pun) it back into all the new building projects that they do every year. I do not think that the decline in attendance was all about the weather but that is the main reason.

**Cydkar** · 08-23-2010, 06:01 AM

We went 5 years ago and will NEVER go back. One of the most disappointing days my kids have had on a trip like that. Hot...stinky..expensive.

**nfrine** · 08-23-2010, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by Cydkar

We went 5 years ago and will NEVER go back. One of the most disappointing days my kids have had on a trip like that. Hot...stinky..expensive.

Hasn't smelled too bad the last 5 years!

**WalkingCY** · 08-23-2010, 07:27 AM

I blame recent flooding issues, school districts that started early last week (on thurs.), Friday Night HS Football games and the economy. Simple as that.