Fairs as a stimulus program

Fairs generate revenue. The Plumas Sierra County Fair creates the equivalent of 79 jobs by the Fair itself, it's support businesses and attendees. The Fair and the events that occur throughout the year generate an estimated $95,500 in additional business taxes. In 2009, our fairgrounds was an economic engine that generated around $6,450,000 in spending activity. All this came from the California Department of Food & Agriculture, which is facing budget cuts of 30%, including a 100% elimination of funding for California Fairs. That report says that California Fairs generate upwards of $2.5 BILLION in economic activity. The State gets that sort of return from $32 million. That's right. Only $32 million creates thousands of jobs, millions in tax revenue and billions in spending. It's funny how quickly people forget what fairs have done.

For those that remember the Great Depression, they may also remember the proof that fairs are the "original" stimulus program. During the worst economic time in our history, North American fairs grew from under 300, to more than 3,000. California had nine official fairs going into the Great Depression and had 54 by the beginning of World War II. The Plumas Sierra County Fair was one of those.

Look, we all know something has to be done to right our financial ship. Fairs know they have to help. If you could take some time and write your representative in Sacramento, tell them how important the Fair is to Plumas and Sierra Counties, we would appreciate it.