Navajo County Fair Is Deemed A Success Despite The Economy

By Linda Kor
   Despite concerns regarding the receipt of governor’s funds and a shortage of sponsorships, the 2009 Navajo County Fair was a huge success. Last week at the first fair board meeting following the fair, board members reviewed the event and began making plans for next year.
   Overall attendance at this year’s fair was approximately 22,000 people, which is comparable to last year’s total. This was positive news for the board with sponsorship down from the previous year and the economy in a slump.
   The annual funding from the governor’s office, which was approved only one week before the fair began, was an uncertainty due to state budget cuts, so the only upgrades to the fairgrounds this year were improvements to the rain gutters on the grandstands.
   “We received $60,000 from the governor’s fund, which is what we got last year, but there may be no funds coming next year…we just don’t know,” Fair Board President Rusty DeSpain said, referring to the budget cuts currently being negotiated at the state’s capitol.
   “This year’s event can be looked at in two ways; you can say we went $35,000 in the hole, or since we received the funds from the governor that we profited $25,000,” stated DeSpain, who made it clear that he preferred the latter.
   This year’s rodeo was also lauded as a great success. “We had over 625 entrants for two events. That makes us the largest rodeo in Arizona and the surrounding states, and we received a lot of compliments from various individuals for how well it was handled,” stated DeSpain. The fair board has been working for many years to make the rodeo a stellar event for both participants and the audience.
   DeSpain also noted that this was the ninth year of the fair for him and he felt it was time to re-evaluate the entertainment, events and ticket taking. He also felt that another area needing to be reviewed was the appreciation dinner held each year for volunteers and sponsors of the county fair.
   Records show that $10,000 in VIP tickets were provided for sponsors this year. In addition, sponsors receive plaques or certificates in appreciation, as well as banner advertisement during the fair.
   “It comes down to whether or not it’s costing us more than we gain from sponsorship, and I would like this re-evaluated,” stated DeSpain.
   The board agreed with a statement made by board member Wendell DeCross, who said that the dinner should be just for volunteers, as those are the people who give so much and receive nothing in return.
   “In good trade we will have our dinner as we have in the past and then have a committee meet to discuss what to do different for next year,” stated DeSpain.
   The board also decided to not rent out the booth near the cantina for $250 for the year and instead use it for storage for cantina supplies. Despite a reduction in beer and alcohol sales, the cantina was the one area that showed a profit during the fair, taking in more than $15,000 in sales for food and drink.
   DeSpain stated that overall there were very few complaints, and he was very pleased with the results from the time and effort put in by the members of the board as well as other volunteers.
   In other business Oct. 14, the board:
   * Approved a facilities request by the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce for the Holiday Showcase and Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 14.
   * Approved a facilities request by the Holbrook Enriching Lives Partnership for the annual Spooktacular, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 31
   * Approved a renewal of annual membership to Arizona Fairs for $200.
   * Approved a renewal of annual membership to Western Fairs for $190.
   * Approved a renewal of annual membership to the Overnight Stabling Directory for $25.