The 2012 California Mid-Winter Fair had record attendance numbers despite losing one day to wind closure, Fair Spokesman Bill Gay said.
At closing day Sunday, 101,105 fairgoers had come through the turn styles, a seven percent increase from 2011.
“We are very pleased with these numbers,” said fair CEO Theresa Garcia. “I want to thank our outstanding fair board and all of our staff who made this possible. Most importantly, I want to thank the residents of this region who spent some quality family time with us.”
Without any state subsidy for fairs, it is very important that the California Mid-Winter Fair be self-supporting through generation of its own revenue, Garcia said, noting that local sponsorships are crucial.
Local acts performing at the fair increased by 16 acts to a total of 48 this year. Additionally, the 577 animals sold at the Junior Livestock Auctions generated an estimated total of $1.3 million for the sellers, according to fair officials.
Increases also applied to the carnival and food concessions. The carnival, Helm and Sons Amusements, reported a record year with an eight percent increase, and food concessions were also up nine percent.
