[Jody Gray, El Dorado County Fair CEO]
Placerville, CA - Fair season in El Dorado County provides more than candy apples, musical acts and livestock competitions; it also helps fuel the economies of local communities.
Most people know that fairs entertain and educate; they also have immense economic, educational, social and cultural impacts. In addition, fairs have economic impacts from spending by attendees and businesses, to nonprofit fundraising, to job creation and tax revenues.
“The El Dorado County fairgrounds generated approximately $14,053,000 in spending activity alone in 2015,” according to the 2015 Economic Impact Study, created by California Department of Food & Agriculture. This benefits the local economy and creates a ripple effect on economic benefits for California. “The entire network of fairs in California generated upwards of $3.9 billion in economic activity.”
The equivalent of 106 jobs were created as a result of spending by our fairgrounds, its support businesses and attendees. The labor income generated by these additional jobs was approximately $3,731,000.
El Dorado County Fair & Event Center provides many non-profit and charity based organizations the opportunity to raise substantial portions of their annual budgets through fundraising, both at Fair and throughout the year.
From people’s paychecks to community services, the return on investment from fairs is widespread. Fairs, however, represent much more than dollars-and-cents. Fairs offer a link between urban and rural communities. They serve as tools to educate residents about the importance of agriculture and introduce young people to both traditional and innovative aspects of life on the farm.
Fairs reach far beyond their agricultural roots to encourage industries and individuals to strive for excellence through competitions. Winning the blue ribbon at a fair competition is a great incentive to showcase the best of the county. Through social and cultural impacts, EDC Fair embodies the community spirit and highlights the diversity of El Dorado County.
El Dorado County Fair offers a great economic windfall to the community and non-profit organizations, as well as being a huge resource for fire camps, cooling stations and—it is the best place to win yourself a blue ribbon and have an amazing time!
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2017 El Dorado County Fair “Ribbons and Rides”—Thursday, June 15 – Father’s Day, Sunday June 18
Fair Entry Deadlines vary. Please see eldoradocountyfair.org/entry.html for more information.
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Calendar:
Who/What: El Dorado County Fair, “Ribbons and Rides”
When: Thursday, June 15 – Father’s Day, Sunday June 18
Where: El Dorado County Fair & Event Center, 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville, CA
Tickets: Pre-sale: $9-Regular, $7 Junior & Senior; During the Fair: $10-Regular, $8 Junior & Senior. Attendees with active duty military ID get in FREE. Parking $6 per car or take the free shuttle. (Check our website for details.)
