Even though Orange County is a center for high technology with a dizzying pace, people are willing to step back a millennium to relax. This year’s fair is proof. The Orange County Fair 2000 drew 808,552 people, a 12% increase from 1999 and a record for the venerable event.
This year’s fair set records in almost every measurable category. Paid admissions for the 17-day event rose to a record $2.5 million, up from $2.35 million a year ago. Compared with last year, sponsorship and promotions from participating companies were up 20%, to $1.8 million.
“A good economy is one of the major reasons why the fair was such a success this year,” said fair general manager, Becky Bailey-Findley. “We have also made improvements to the fair and emphasized a quality carnival.”
Bailey-Findley also said good weather and a lack of competing events enabled to the fair to draw more attendees.
Bailey-Findley pointed to a decrease in arrests as one measurable result of the organizers’ effort to make the fair a family-oriented event. A total of 128 arrests were reported, down from 204 a year ago. With the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and extra off-duty police officers patrolling the fairgrounds, there was a strong police presence, fair officials said.
Ray Cammack Shows, Laveen, Ariz., the carnival company that has provided the fair’s midway rides for six years, generated a record-setting $2.8 million in revenue from the rides, up 16% from last year. Cammack Shows also provides rides for the Los Angeles and Ventura county fairs, as well as the California State Fair.
The fair gathered the cash or in-kind support of 69 companies ranging from AT & T; Wireless and Time Warner Communications to smaller, local businesses such as Abbey Tools and Catalina Cruises.
“We enjoy being involved with the community,” said Steve Carr, customer resource manager for Irvine-based Hines Horticulture. “We have a very strong relationship with the fair, and the fair is a great way to bring the community together.”
Hines provides tree and floral arrangements. While the nursery chain had its name in the media kit and posted throughout the fairgrounds, Carr said it was difficult to determine whether the exposure had any effect on business.
While the direct revenue generated by the fair goes to the state, the city of Costa Mesa benefits from the event through sales taxes collected at the fairgrounds. Marc Puckett, finance director for the city, said that the fair generated about $58,000 in tax revenue this year. While the number is relatively small compared with the revenue that the state gets, Puckett believes that the fair benefits the city in other ways.
Wendy Smith, sales director of the Holiday Inn on Bristol Ave., said while the occupancy rate did not increase during the fair, the restaurant there did have a small increase in business. May Garden, a nearby Chinese restaurant, also reported a slight increase in business.
“The fair does not generate a lot of extra money for us, however this is a great event for the city of Costa Mesa and we have a solid relationship with the fair officials,” said Puckett. n
