People still care for the fair in downturn
TEXT OF STORY
Bill Radke: Americans aren’t traveling as much as we did
in the good times — and that can be a good thing
for that summertime stay-at-home tradition —
the state fair. From WUWM in Milwaukee, LaToya Dennis has more.
LaToya Dennis: The Wisconsin State Fair is a big to-do here. Of course you have the animals. And then there’s local specialties like chocolate covered bacon on a stick and cream puffs.
PATRICE HARRIS: I hope that I do enough walking to burn off the cream puffs.
Patrice Harris handles public relations for the fair. She says despite the recession, attendance is on par with last year. The fair opened last weekend, and so far, more than a half million people have come through. Still, she has special offers to thank for part of that turn-out.
HARRIS: On Tuesday, we offered two-for-one admission for the adult admission price when they purchased it at the gate and we had over 32,600 people come in for that.
Numbers like these are expected at state fairs across the country according to Jim Tucker. He’s President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.
JIM TUCKER: It seems that people are staying close to home and taking advantage of the local entertainment and educational opportunities at state and county fairs.
So far, North Dakota’s is the only state fair to have completed its run. And Tucker said it had record attendance. The Wisconsin State Fair ends this weekend.
In Milwaukee, LaToya Dennis for Marketplace.
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