Report shines a light on benefits of state fairs

Megan Finkenbinder
WSDA Fairs Program Administrator 

Everyone loves a fair and a new report suggests they make good business sense, too. 

The report, Washington Agricultural Fairs: Economic and Social Impact, was released at the end of 2021 and found that agricultural fairs generate almost $400 million annually in business revenue. In addition, according to the report, fairs create thousands of jobs and open opportunities for the broader public to connect with Washington agriculture.

WSDA funded the study by Seattle-based Community Attributes Inc. (CAI) at the request of the Washington State Fairs Association. 

WSDA administers the Washington State Fairs Commission, an eight-member advisory committee that reports to the WSDA director and provides evaluations of fairs that help determine the amount of state funding provided to support fairs. 

For the report, researchers with CAI studied economic figures from 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The data paints a picture of a robust fair scene before the pandemic struck, prompting most fairs to cancel in 2020. However, several were held in 2021. 

The researchers found that fairs across the state play an important role in their communities, providing local jobs, and bringing visitors who spend their dollars at the fair and in the surrounding community. The report also found that fairs are helping create a new generation of farmers, ranchers and food producers through the wide range of ag-related showings and exhibits, often involving youth. 

In 2019, 69 agricultural fairs were held across Washington, including 38 county or area fairs, 19 community fairs, and 12 youth shows. Pierce, Yakima, Snohomish, Stevens, Cowlitz, Whitman, Grant and Spokane counties hosted half of all these fairs. 

The researchers broke down fair activity for 2019 by the numbers:

• More than 3.3 million people visited fairs.
• 68,000 exhibitors participated, including many from out of state.
• 5,600 volunteers helped staff fairs statewide.

In terms of economic impacts, fairs contributed millions to state coffers, and are significant job creators for their communities. In addition, many non-profit and charity-based organizations raise substantial portions of their annual budgets through fundraising booths and activities at fairs.

 In 2019, the contributions of fairs also included: 

• $397 million in business revenue
• 3,200 jobs
• $10 million in tax revenues  

While the report data was primarily from 2019, the researchers noted some 2020 activities undertaken by fairs to demonstrate the community value fairs offer. 

Several fairgrounds, for example, were used to support efforts in addressing the pandemic, serving as temporary or permanent locations for coronavirus testing and vaccination. Other examples included the Lewis County Fairgrounds operating a homeless shelter in April 2020 as part of the pandemic response. The State Fair Park in Yakima County opened its RV park and stables to people and animals fleeing the Evans Canyon Fire in August. 

Annual agriculture fairs create fun experiences and memories for millions in Washington State. They are also economic engines that generate jobs and revenue for the local communities that host them. What’s not to love about a fair?

Visit WSDA’s Agricultural Fairs webpage to view the entire report.