Fair officials report $14.3M revenue, $4.7M net and mixed attendance trends

Vivian Lou, the association's finance lead, presented the fair's seasonal staffing and financial results. Lou said fair applicants totaled 1,359 this year and fair‑time seasonal hires numbered 321 (about 26–27%), while volunteer hours and volunteer headcount were down from last year. "Volunteer hours...that's 794 less volunteer hours than last year," Lou reported.

On revenue and profit, Lou said the fair posted $14,300,000 in total revenue, $9,600,000 in expenses and a fair net income of $4,700,000 this year (down from $5,030,000 last year, as presented). Lou also flagged that while total attendance fell slightly (about 399,000 this year versus roughly 410,000 last year), per‑capita spending rose, which helped sustain revenue despite the attendance dip.

Committee members asked for clarity on paid versus free attendance and how season pass holders and pre‑purchased tickets affect the blended per‑capita numbers. Lou answered with the share‑of‑paid‑attendees metrics: "This year, it's 69%. Last year, it was 66%." The presentation noted parking, admissions, carnival, and food and beverage as primary revenue categories and described a modest sponsorship/vendor revenue shortfall compared with prior years.

Why it matters: the numbers provide the county and association context for budgeting, capital planning and contract discussions during the coming months. Supervisors and association members pressed staff for more granular breakdowns (paid versus free redemptions, season passes, and the accounting treatment of off‑track betting and other handles) to ensure transparent budget forecasting.

Staff flagged that slide detail will be provided to committee members for follow up and that some clarifying figures will be confirmed in a subsequent report.