Fair officials expect to outpace 2009 attendance, revenue numbers

In his second year as Ozark Empire Fair general manager, Elvin Dunn has his own way of measuring the event’s success.

His measuring stick, he says, is that more companies are seeking him out to donate time, labor, materials and cash to the fair, which this year runs July 30–Aug. 8.

In the existing economic climate when similar nonprofit organizations are struggling to get donations, Dunn appreciates the help he’s getting.

“Free is better than cheap,” he said, noting that sponsorships and contributions for this year’s fair are at $431,000.

“It’s basically doubled what all of 2009 was,” Dunn added. “That’s how the people are stepping up and coming forward and being part of what I’m doing out here,” he said.

Dunn believes the community support signifies that the fair has turned a corner in terms of perception.

Some of the challenges were rooted in the fact that the fairgrounds needed some sprucing up to entice business support including painting projects, a general cleanup.

“When I first came, we had to rebuild some bridges,” Dunn said. “Now, it is easier. I’ll get people to approach me.”

Corporate support
Some of the companies lending support to the fair have helped improve the look and feel of the fairgrounds. Examples Dunn cited include three iron gates donated by Wheeler Metals Inc., fencing throughout the fairgrounds by Wood ReNew & Tile Too; and curbing around buildings by Accent Curbz.

“The sponsors get signage in the arena – they see the benefits,” Dunn said. “It’s advertising for them.”

For Wheeler Metals Assistant Manager Derrick Geister, the decision to ask the company’s manager to donate time, labor and materials was easy.

“I worked at the fairgrounds when I was 13 all the way to when I was 18 for Dan Fortner and Marla Calico,” he said. “I’ve got a special place in my heart for the fairgrounds – I understand their needs.”
Wheeler Metals plans to donate $40,000 in time, labor and materials for improvements during the next two years.

The three gates installed by Wheeler Metals this year cost an estimated $4,000 apiece, Geister said, and he added that the company was able to build a new 18-foot by 24-foot milking parlor after a gust of wind destroyed the old building earlier this year.

Business support such as Wheeler Metals’ is key to the fair’s survival, said fair board President Craig Dunn, who is Elvin Dunn’s son and has served on the fair board since 2001.

“The fairgrounds has survived all these years because of the support of the community,” Craig Dunn said. “Not just financially, but also through giving time. We receive so much support from the community, and that’s what makes it possible for us to be successful. “

Through the gates
An attendance spike last year to 220,000 translated to $533,498 in revenue, even though  Elvin Dunn made the decision to cut admission prices.

“Gate fees, even though I dropped the cost 25 percent, were up considerably,” he said. “That translates to the fact that more people came through the gates.”

While he expects to have at least as many fairgoers this year as in 2009, he said he’ll continue some of the measures started last year – keeping admission prices down at $6 for adults and $2 for children ages 6 to 12, free parking before 3 p.m. and improving midway attractions – to try and improve on 2009’s revenue and admission figures.

“Last year, I kept telling people the economy could work in our advantage,” Dunn said. “I anticipate more of the same.”[[In-content Ad]]