Fair board has funds to work in planning 2009 event
The return of the Pierce County Fair last July after a nine-year absence proved successful in terms of public feedback and the bottom line.
And the latter has enabled the fair board to get a good start in planning next year’s two-day event, July 3-4.
The fair finished a few thousand dollars in the black, according to Don Sobolik, fair board treasurer. That was attributed to good attendance and the fact the board received donations, volunteers to help prepare the fairgrounds to host the fair, and to also run some of the events.
“The board was also very conservative with its spending and was able to keep costs down,” Sobolik said.
The fair did receive financial support from the county, to the tune of $7,500, and it’s likely the county commission will again set aside some funds. Business sponsorships and donations from others also helped make the fair successful.
Sobolik said that revenue gain has allowed the board to put down deposits on some entertainment for 2009’s fair.
The Fun on the Run games will again be featured, and the board is looking to book musical entertainment for both nights as well as have other displays and vendors.
The board has met monthly since July, and members Don Jelsing and Gloria Vetsch this fall attended the state’s annual fair convention and collected some ideas to implement in future fairs.
Sobolik said the board is well ahead of last year’s schedule in terms of planning and the with one fair under their belt, the board will know what to improve on, or change when it comes to planning the 2009 event.
Board members are hopeful there will be an increase in attendance, and more residents choosing to stay around that holiday weekend to take in the fair activities.
Annual meeting
The Pierce County Fair Association held its annual meeting last month which included election of board members.
Sobolik, Greg Berginski and Dave Bednarz were re-elected to three-year terms. Other members include Paul Jelsing, Gloria Vetsch, Mike Christenson, Ron Torgerson, Kurt Arthur and Don Jelsing. Berginski is this year’s board president; Paula Jelsing is vice president; Vetsch is secretary; and Sobolik treasurer.
In addition to the board, the association’s membership has grown from 10 to 30 members, which is encouraging, Sobolik said. The annual membership fee is $10.