Attendance for 2019 Fair was up from last year.
The Ventura County Fair closed after another successful Fair. Celebrating the best of the best from throughout Ventura County, the 144th year closed with success. Visitors came from near and far to enjoy the 12-day Fair, July 31 through August 11.
The Ventura County Fair’s mission is to preserve, promote, and showcase agriculture and the traditions of Ventura County. This was accomplished with competitive livestock and horse shows, agricultural exhibits, baking contests, produce tastings, agricultural demonstrations and much more.
Fairgoers were greeted with many outstanding attractions, including The All Alaskan Racing Pigs who made audiences squeal with delight, Slim & Curly, the wise cracking cowboys who make people laugh everywhere they go, and Star Child Stilt Circus, who amused children of all ages as they strolled merrily, high above the crowds. Exciting new carnival rides, including the Insomniac and the thrilling Hyperloop joined the lineup of Carnival Midway favorites such as the Wave Swinger and the Giant Ferris Wheel. New food offerings included Deep Fried Philly Cheese Steaks and Dinosaur Nachos that fulfilled the curiosity for new summer treats while the mini donuts and turkey legs satisfied the traditional cravings of many Fairgoers.
Attendance for 2019 remained strong at 302,783, up 1.26%. “We do everything we can to bring the people of Ventura County a better experience every year,” said CEO Barbara Quaid, sharing the Fair’s winning strategy, “For us the focus is not about the numbers of people coming through the gates, but about the quality of the experience our guests have at the Fair. We measure our success by the number of smiles are on the faces of the people at the Fair. We are committed to offering a clean, safe and fun experience that people will remember forever.” To that end the Fair conducted a survey of visitors at the fair and continues to solicit and address public sentiment.
Nearly 16,000 County residents entered art, crafts, projects and other curiosities in the competitive exhibits, winning prize ribbons and sharing their inspiring talents with Fair visitors.
Free entertainment was one of the offerings that drew thousands to the Fair. Not only the top name Concerts including Styx, Melissa Etheridge and Brothers Osborne, but also local bands were a huge fan favorites. Revelers came out to enjoy and lend their support for Ventura County entertainers including KNS Rockstar, Juano and Friends, The Rockin’ Henrys, Twisted Gypsy, Doc Rogers Band, and many others.
As is the case every year, overall success would not be possible without the tremendous support of volunteers, sponsors and the community. While the gates have closed on the 2019 Ventura County Fair, planning is already underway for the 2020 Fair
The Ventura County Fair is the County’s original Social Network where thousands of neighbors and friends have gathered every year for generations. The Fair employs up to 700 seasonal staff during the annual 12-day event. With annual attendance of approximately 300,000 visitors to the Fair, the communities throughout Ventura County share in the economic vitality derived from the Ventura County Fair. The Fair brings economic, social, educational, and cultural resources and provides lasting impressions on Fairgoers.
The Ventura County Fairgrounds consists of a 62.5-acre parcel and operates as a multi-purpose, multi-functional, year-round facility accommodating a variety of events. Regarded as a premier rental facility, the Ventura County Fairgrounds and Event Center attracts some of the most popular shows and attractions in the county throughout the year, including livestock shows, dog shows, horse shows, home and recreation shows, concerts, dances, business expos, quinceañeras, weddings and receptions, motorcycle and automobile shows, camping groups, swap meets and much more.
