The Florida State Fair’s “The Best Time of the Year” came to a close Monday night ending on a high note. Preliminary results indicate that good weather, great value, and a strong turnout of almost 487,000 fairgoers helped to make the 2011 State Fair a huge success. This was the 107th year of the annual State Fair.
“We are extremely pleased with the results of this year’s Fair,” said Charles Pesano, Executive Director of the Florida State Fair Authority. With over 132,000 more attendees than last year (when weather was mostly rainy and cold) Pesano credited the hard work of Fair staff, volunteers, youth and adult agriculture participants, sponsors, vendors, entertainers, and exhibitors for producing an outstanding fair. “Our Fair team works very hard each year to provide a super State Fair that provides special experiences for just about everyone he stated. ”
This year’s preliminary combined total gate admission revenue and midway ride revenue set a new all-time record of $7.797 million. This was approximately $2.550 million higher than last year’s total and approximately $802,000 more than the previous record set in 2009. The financial success of this year’s Fair is a welcome turn-around from the financial disappointment of last year’s fair when attendance was poor due to inclement weather. The Florida State Fair Authority receives no annual appropriation of state or local taxes and must rely on its own operations, which includes the annual State Fair, to fund its ongoing operations, support its educational and agricultural programming, and to maintain and improve its property and facilities.
"The 2011 Florida State Fair provided an opportunity for families to come together for a fun-filled event, rich in the agricultural heritage,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. “I want to thank the Florida State Fair Authority staff, as well as the volunteers, entertainers, vendors and participants; for it was their hard work and contributions that made this year’s fair better than ever."
The State Fair’s agribusiness department prides itself in providing the opportunity for almost two thousand youth and adults to compete in a large number of agricultural competitions and programs. Almost 4,700 animals were on display during the Fair’s run. From chickens to cattle to hogs to sheep, ten different species were on display. While the final total has not been tallied, an estimated $400,000 in premiums, awards, and scholarships are expected to be paid out this year to agricultural exhibitors and others.
This year’s Fair provided an outstanding value to its fairgoers. Over 100 things to do and see each day were available at no additional charge (other than gate admission) to those attending the Fair. The Fair’s midway offered 106 rides of every type and description. The family friendly midway, separate from the main midway, offered a special selection of rides, food, and seating that was geared primarily to families with young children. Some of the entertainment scheduled throughout the day, included “Celebrate” – a Las Vegas styled show with live singers and dancers, the Dennis Lee Show, the Blues Brothers Tribute Show, Circus Hollywood, the Spanish Lyric Theater, Nock’s Helicopter Trapeze Thrill Show, Kachunga and the Alligator, the Sea Lion Splash, the Welde Bear Show, and the Hollywood Racing Pigs. And, of course, Cracker Country was open each day for fairgoers to experience the life style and crafts of 1890’s rural Florida.
In addition, the Florida Center offered guests the opportunity to view a wide variety of special craft items including hand-made quilts, intricate wood carvings, and mosaic dollhouses. Youth fine art pieces, wines competition, and horticultural exhibits were also displayed there.
“We are pleased that the Florida State Fair continues to offer guests everything a fair should; fun, livestock, great food, rides and entertainment; all at an outstanding value,” Pesano concluded.
####
For additional information contact Rip Stalvey, Director of Marketing and Museum Operations at 813-477-3138, or by email at rip.stalvey@freshfromflorida.com
No comments:
Post a Comment