By SHELBIE GRAHAM
Since 1987, Clay County has looked forward every year to the fair—the magical week-and-a-half of carnival rides, neon lights, face painting, fried Oreos, “aromatic” animal pens, market stalls and jovial, shrilling laughter.
Even the prize stalls promising overstuffed animals after winning a rigged game can be fun, too, if at least for a laugh.
This year’s Clay County Agricultural Fair received a new record high of 169,422 guests, an 18 percent increase from 2023.
Bob Olson is a board member of the Clay County Fair Association. He shared the fair association’s report to the Clay County Board of County Commissioners on May 28.
“Our 2024 fair was an incredibly good and smooth-running fair,” Olson said.
Olson’s wrote in the report that 61,000 different cars were parked at the fairgrounds with license plates coming from 33 different states. The Youth Livestock Auction raised a record high of $650,000 for Clay County students. Other altruistic endeavors included 7,000 pounds of canned food collected, $17,120 raised for local nonprofits and $50,000 awarded in scholarships.
The fair association’s guest survey found most fairgoers enjoyed the festivities—73% of surveyed guests said their experience was “excellent” and 22 percent said their experience was “good.”
“The surveys did however reveal some significant concerns,” Olson said.
The significant concerns included crowds, long lines and increased admission prices.
“While our record attendance may seem incredibly positive… fair attendance is reaching a point where overall fair operations and attendee experience are beginning to be hindered by the fairgrounds layout and the condition of the fairgrounds,” Olson said.
Olson continued by saying there were several infrastructure concerns during this year, too, such as electricity and sewage.
“Yes, we had a good fair and we received wonderful feedback… our present course is in a good place. However, we are clearly seeing concerns and warning signs for the course ahead,” Olson said.
After its abrupt cancellation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Clay County Fair has bounced back and has arguably eclipsed Duval’s for many years.
Olson appeared apprehensive about some logistical concerns but overall optimistic. He said the decision to raise ticket prices this year was reluctantly made.
The tenet of supply and demand could call for another price increase next year, although this has not yet been confirmed.
The Clay County Fair is no longer the small, local attraction it once was. The fair has consistently attracted more fairgoers year after year, and Clay can expect that trend to continue in 2025. More fairgoers and ticket sales mean more revenue for the county and a greater strain on fairgrounds facilities.
“More money, more problems,” as the old adage goes.
Next year’s fair is scheduled April 3 through 13.
We have not attended the fair foe the last two years. Since 1985, we have been there every year! 2022 it took us over an hour to just turn off 16 to the fairgrounds. The food I once lived was not as it was before and it was difficult to even walk down the lanes between food, games and rides. Lines were ridiculous for all of it. I do miss how the Clay County Fair once was. Maybe have one weekend for omly clay county residents to attend.. pr even one day.
Shame prices continue to go up. The fair use to be affordable for the poor. Maybe lower tier entainment to help manage crowds and cost.