Did you notice that this year there were no complaints about the New York State Fair restrooms? No complaints means the job was done well and our experience confirms that. It’s one of those things that seems minor until it’s not being handled well.
There’s a lot about the Fair that fits that description. Thus, we’re impressed with the attention to detail and overall management. About the only problem we can think of, is that the Rainbow Milk Bar couldn’t pour chocolate milk on Labor Day morning. If that’s your biggest complaint, you’re doing great.
We noted in an earlier post that past directors have always said that they place more significance on producing a great Fair and pleasing those who come than on being focused on numbers. Fortunately, this year they succeeded with a well-done, crowd-pleasing Fair as well as a sizable attendance figure, 965,147.
There have been some articles from the Post-Standard/Syracuse.com over the past few days about State Fair attendance numbers and how they are counted. While State Fair Hound appreciates the importance of accuracy and transparency, this is one subject that can be overrated and misunderstood.
So why were numbers inflated with various gimmicks over the years before recent efforts to be more precise? There are several possible reasons. One is creating a successful image to please the public or governmental and political leaders. Another may be marketing the Fair to vendors and sponsors, who want to make their presentation to as many potential customers as possible. In any event, we know that manipulation of attendance counts was standard practice over many years under many different directors.
Keep in mind that State Fair attendance may be compared to other events with varying degrees of accuracy in their counts, including New York State’s other big fair, the Erie County Fair. We’d be curious to get a closer look at the attendance numbers they publicize. If there is to be a legitimate comparison, we should make sure both fairs count by the same rules. Speaking from experience in attending Erie, it’s a very nice event that absolutely does not reach the heights of the State Fair, aside from their questionable attendance figures.
In terms of the Post’s obsession with free tickets, passes for media members and others who work at the Fair and the counting of Fair employees in attendance counts, we try to view it as a vendor would. If I’m a vendor, whether I’m selling hot dogs, lemonade, jewelry or hot tubs, if I have a line of customers spending money at my stand, I’m happy. I don’t care how much they paid to get in or if they paid at all. That would be especially true of the midway operator, this year Wade Shows, who needs a high volume of traffic to boost ridership and game patronage and they reportedly did big business this year.
That’s why the Labor Day dollar admission was brilliant, although everyone who paid to get in paid $5 to $9 less than they would have at normal advance sale or at-the-gate prices. It created higher volume, not only eclipsing the previous day 12 record by 14,654, but definitely gave a huge boost to vendor business, allowing them to show increased profits. Successful vendors and exhibitors make for a stronger and more profitable Fair as the rent and sales percentages they pay bring in the most money for the Fair.
So, we say celebrate high attendance numbers and look for ways to take them even higher, but don’t use them as the only, or even the primary measure of a successful Fair.
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