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 August weather plays a big role in who comes to the fair and hampers organizers’ attempts to set attendance goals. In 2007, heat advisories brought a smaller crowd of 613,100. Bliefnick says she mainly focuses on providing quality, affordable entertainment for families, while also making the fair fiscally responsible for the state.
“If I do those things, the dollars and the numbers should follow,” she says. State Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, supports the fair and agrees that it’s important to showcase the state’s No. 1 industry, which employs 24 to 25 percent of the workforce.
“It shows there’s a certain amount of prestige and winning that helps the economy of breeding and helps them make sure we produce better products in the state of Illinois,” he says. The Illinois State Fair, as well as other events held on the fairgrounds throughout the year, also benefits the local economy by attracting people from all over the United States who frequent other area attractions, hotels and restaurants.
“It’s part of the great economic engine,” Poe says. “[Without the fair], the fairgrounds wouldn’t be maintained, and we wouldn’t have the shows we have out there year-round or the people who come to Springfield.”
According to the 2000 economic impact study, nearly $39 million of local business volume was directly generated by the Illinois State Fair. The fair also added nearly $1.2 million in state sales taxes, the study concludes, and created 1,445 jobs. “For that $5 million spent to hold the state fair, the Springfield community gets a $40 million return,” Squibb, the Department of Agriculture spokesperson, says of the economic benefit.
“Now more than ever the fair is needed. Either canceling it or reducing the number of days would be the wrong thing to do at this time.” Families also need the Illinois State Fair. “When families are struggling, when they’re looking to stretch their dollars, the fair provides an appealing entertainment alternative,” Squibb adds. “They’d be hard-pressed to find entertainment options that cost $5 for adults. There’s not many.” Contact Amanda Robert at [email protected]. |
