Central Washington State Fair May Be Over But The Economic Impact Is Lasting

Now that the dust has settled on the successful 2011 Central Washington State Fair, officials are looking at who attended this year’s Fair, and where they came from. Of the 301,501 people who attended the Fair that concluded on October 2, ticket purchase records show that visitors came from as far away as Maine and New Hampshire, and they came from California, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and from all over Washington State.

“We know our Fair draws from outside the Yakima Valley,” said Greg Stewart, Fair president and general manager. “But to think people come from as far away as the Northeastern part of the United States and make our Fair part of their vacation plans, we are very proud of that.”

Actually, this year the Fair had a couple visit all the way from Norway. They were touring the West Coast in a motor home they rented in Seattle, and found out about the Fair from some tourism literature, and called up, bought admission tickets and came to do the Fair before heading towards San Diego.

Many of the visitors to the Fair who come from the west side of the state, along with the out-of-state visitors, stay in local hotels and motels and dine at local restaurants.

“The reports from the motels show that nearly 1400 room nights are generated during the 10-day event from people who are coming to Yakima just for the Fair,” Stewart said. “That makes a nice impact on the local economy.”

Other contributors to the local economy during Fair time are the dozens and dozens of Fair vendors who buy their meat, buns, milk, soft drinks, water and other food ingredients through local suppliers.

“Plus we have 200 of our vendors, exhibitors and visitors come and stay in RV’s,” Stewart said. “They are buying food, gas, and supplies as well as dining out at local restaurants.”

It is estimated by Hebert Research that the Fair generates over 25 million dollars in economic impact to the area each year.

All-in-all, Fair officials are quite happy with the number of out-of-towners the Fair attracts each year, but they will continue to work on bringing even more people into the area next year for the food, entertainment and attractions.

Next year’s Central Washington State Fair is set for September 21 through September 30.