Saturday, July 04, 2009
News
Despite reductions, fair sees little change in entries
Argus-Press File Photo A boy shears a sheep before the sheep show at the 2008 Shiawassee County Fair.
By MICHAEL PETERSON Argus-Press Staff Writer
CORUNNA - Despite the recent announcement that Shiawassee County Fair premiums - money awarded to fair exhibitors who receive top honors - will be cut by about half, fair officials say the community has shown a surprising amount of support.
“The exhibitors have been very understanding, and very few of them are upset,” Fair Manager Ric Crawford said. “A few have cut back on their entries, but they are still flowing in like there was no change.”
The fair currently has about 1,300 exhibitors and 11,000 exhibits.
Before this year, the state provided 66 percent of the premiums exhibitors received and the Shiawassee County Fair came up with the remaining 44 percent.
This year, the state will provide no premium funding.
But this was not the first cut to hit the local fair. Last year the state eliminated its 805 fund-matching money - funding provided to all the state's fairs that requested it. During an average year, the fair would receive between $30,000 to $40,000 in 805 funds.
However, Crawford said because the Shiawassee County Fair has other, non-fair sources of income - such as horse shows and winter storage - it is probably doing better than many other county fairs.
The Fairgrounds is also allowing its camping facilities to be used for visitors for the Train Festival 2009 weekend, which officials hope will help bring in needed extra revenue. The fee will be $20 per night.
The community support also has been helpful.
“One of our clubs has made a pledge that they will be donating all of their premium money back into the fair,” Crawford said. “Some are taking this seriously and saying, ‘If you are in trouble, we are willing to help.'”
He added the Owosso Farmers Market also recently made a monetary donation to be used for premiums.
The Shiawassee County Agricultural Society Board of Directors this week also received news the fair will be receiving a $1,000 grant from the state. Crawford said the grant money will be used toward the exhibit building's youth.
There also is a chance - albeit small - that Michigan will reinstate its premium funding next year.
The House Appropriations Subcommittee met June 23 and approved a bill that includes nearly $1.4 million for county fair premiums in next year's budget. However, Crawford said he was not going to hold his breath.
“It still needs to get the whole House's approval, and then it would need to get the governor's approval,” he said. “As of right now, (Gov. Jennifer Granholm) is not supporting the appropriation act. So, it's still a long road uphill.”
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.
“The exhibitors have been very understanding, and very few of them are upset,” Fair Manager Ric Crawford said. “A few have cut back on their entries, but they are still flowing in like there was no change.”
The fair currently has about 1,300 exhibitors and 11,000 exhibits.
Before this year, the state provided 66 percent of the premiums exhibitors received and the Shiawassee County Fair came up with the remaining 44 percent.
This year, the state will provide no premium funding.
But this was not the first cut to hit the local fair. Last year the state eliminated its 805 fund-matching money - funding provided to all the state's fairs that requested it. During an average year, the fair would receive between $30,000 to $40,000 in 805 funds.
However, Crawford said because the Shiawassee County Fair has other, non-fair sources of income - such as horse shows and winter storage - it is probably doing better than many other county fairs.
The Fairgrounds is also allowing its camping facilities to be used for visitors for the Train Festival 2009 weekend, which officials hope will help bring in needed extra revenue. The fee will be $20 per night.
The community support also has been helpful.
“One of our clubs has made a pledge that they will be donating all of their premium money back into the fair,” Crawford said. “Some are taking this seriously and saying, ‘If you are in trouble, we are willing to help.'”
He added the Owosso Farmers Market also recently made a monetary donation to be used for premiums.
The Shiawassee County Agricultural Society Board of Directors this week also received news the fair will be receiving a $1,000 grant from the state. Crawford said the grant money will be used toward the exhibit building's youth.
There also is a chance - albeit small - that Michigan will reinstate its premium funding next year.
The House Appropriations Subcommittee met June 23 and approved a bill that includes nearly $1.4 million for county fair premiums in next year's budget. However, Crawford said he was not going to hold his breath.
“It still needs to get the whole House's approval, and then it would need to get the governor's approval,” he said. “As of right now, (Gov. Jennifer Granholm) is not supporting the appropriation act. So, it's still a long road uphill.”
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.