Fairly Successful

By: Mr. Wilson on September 5, 2006
1 comment
The Journal Star's positive coverage sure didn't hurt anything, but my impression is that the State Fair earned itself some good ratings from visitors this year. The final attendance count isn't in yet, but it sounds like it should be up from last year. Even slow, incremental progress is good news for the Fair at this point. That being said, the Nebraska State Fair still doesn't have that "killer" feature, nor does it offer the whole shebang to draw in the widest possible range of visitors. But if attendance keeps creeping up each year it demonstrates a commitment by visitors, and that, in turn, means they will make their preferences known. A few of my suggestions:
  1. The Fair has to find a way to upgrade some of State Fair Park's facilities. Whether that be in the form of new facilities or remodeled existing facilities, a facelift is in order. Perhaps the Fair Board should play the lottery...
  2. I like that there were "hot spots" and "calm spots" across the fairgrounds, but some spots were just plain dead. Some of the dead spots really sapped the Fair's energy. They need to find a way either to get rid of those dead spots, or to somehow convert them into assets.
  3. The proselytizer-to-vendor ratio was way too high. The solution, I think, is more vendors and activity booths, rather than fewer proselytizers. (Not that I'm a fan of being told I'm going to Hell while I'm trying to have a good time at the State Fair.)
  4. How about more free activities for adults? How-to seminars; state government information booths; a variety of lectures, speeches, and debates; and so on. They don't all have to be big draws (although some should be, of course). Instead, the mere presence of more activities and options makes the Fair more interesting.
What are your suggestions?

Comments

See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.

Karin
September 7, 2006 at 6:32PM

I collect those little religious tracts (especially chick tracts, which I find hilarious) so the fair is a smorgasbord for me.

I know, I have weird hobbies.

There was one booth in the Devaney Center, though, with a basket of plastic fetuses. (feti?) They were there last year, too. One of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen. I wanted to get one, just for the weirdness factor, but the lady scared me.

I’m always surprised at the amount of religion at the state fair. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising, as this is Nebraska, but it still does.

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