MONROE - While high gas prices and a weakening economy might be hurting some vacation spots nationally, local festivals and fairs seem to be as strong as ever.
Jalante Olson, Lafayette County Fair secretary, said the five-day fair drew in about 20,000 people - only about 700 less than last year.
"We had good attendance," Olson said. "We're happy with the turnout."
Olson said recent flooding might have had more of an effect on attendance than anything else.
The New Glarus Chamber of Commerce reported a strong attendance at Heidi Fest in June. Visitors to the event came from Illinois and Minnesota, as well as from around the immediate area.
This year, people might choose to visit local events rather than travel great distances, Olson said.
That is the sentiment of Green County Fair Secretary Joyce Binder.
"I hope we have more people come this year," she said.
Average attendance at the Green County Fair, scheduled for July 16-20, is about 33,000 people, Binder said.
She's received calls from people in Illinois asking about fair information this year, she added.
Green County Tourism Director Noreen Rueckert said Cheese Days looks to be busier this year.
"Early indications show it's going to be bigger this year," she said. "I think the trend is for people to stay closer to home."
Rueckert said that in addition to calls she's received from people across the United States, she's also hearing from local people who plan to attend the festival in September.
Festivals in other parts of the United States aren't as fortunate.
For the first time in more than 20 years, the organizers of the Harbor Fest musical festival in Racine, Wis., were forced to cancel their seminal summertime event on the shores of Lake Michigan.
From a hot air balloon festival in Jackson, Mich., to parades in Clearwater, Fla., to a seafood festival in Annapolis, Md., organizers grappling with the effects of a weakening economy are calling it quits. Or at least putting off their events until next year.
Corporate sponsors are pulling out as they worry about their own financial well-being, let alone donating money to a festival. Organizers are reluctant to raise ticket prices since families shelling out $4-a-gallon for gas may not want to pay the extra money. And costs for hiring bands, vendors and renting grounds are rising.
There are tens of thousands of festivals and parades across the country each year, ranging from events with a few balloons and a tent to those with rides, musicians and acres of vendors. Summer is the peak season, said Ira Rosen, the North American director of the International Festivals and Events Association.
The economic impact is big, with festivals generating hundreds of millions of dollars for organizers, many of which are nonprofit and donate proceeds to charities. They also boost local businesses, including hotels, restaurants and retailers. As many as 80 percent break even each year, Rosen said.
This year, festivals are weighing their options and studying the impact of tough decisions like raising prices. It's unclear how many have decided to cancel or delay their events for a year, though attendance so far has been flat, Rosen said.
A number have opted to remain free but request donations to help cover costs.
Problem is, not everyone is willing to pay. Donations didn't generate enough cash this year for the Sarasota Arts Day festival, and it lost so much money that organizers decided to shelve next year's event.
- The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Jalante Olson, Lafayette County Fair secretary, said the five-day fair drew in about 20,000 people - only about 700 less than last year.
"We had good attendance," Olson said. "We're happy with the turnout."
Olson said recent flooding might have had more of an effect on attendance than anything else.
The New Glarus Chamber of Commerce reported a strong attendance at Heidi Fest in June. Visitors to the event came from Illinois and Minnesota, as well as from around the immediate area.
This year, people might choose to visit local events rather than travel great distances, Olson said.
That is the sentiment of Green County Fair Secretary Joyce Binder.
"I hope we have more people come this year," she said.
Average attendance at the Green County Fair, scheduled for July 16-20, is about 33,000 people, Binder said.
She's received calls from people in Illinois asking about fair information this year, she added.
Green County Tourism Director Noreen Rueckert said Cheese Days looks to be busier this year.
"Early indications show it's going to be bigger this year," she said. "I think the trend is for people to stay closer to home."
Rueckert said that in addition to calls she's received from people across the United States, she's also hearing from local people who plan to attend the festival in September.
Festivals in other parts of the United States aren't as fortunate.
For the first time in more than 20 years, the organizers of the Harbor Fest musical festival in Racine, Wis., were forced to cancel their seminal summertime event on the shores of Lake Michigan.
From a hot air balloon festival in Jackson, Mich., to parades in Clearwater, Fla., to a seafood festival in Annapolis, Md., organizers grappling with the effects of a weakening economy are calling it quits. Or at least putting off their events until next year.
Corporate sponsors are pulling out as they worry about their own financial well-being, let alone donating money to a festival. Organizers are reluctant to raise ticket prices since families shelling out $4-a-gallon for gas may not want to pay the extra money. And costs for hiring bands, vendors and renting grounds are rising.
There are tens of thousands of festivals and parades across the country each year, ranging from events with a few balloons and a tent to those with rides, musicians and acres of vendors. Summer is the peak season, said Ira Rosen, the North American director of the International Festivals and Events Association.
The economic impact is big, with festivals generating hundreds of millions of dollars for organizers, many of which are nonprofit and donate proceeds to charities. They also boost local businesses, including hotels, restaurants and retailers. As many as 80 percent break even each year, Rosen said.
This year, festivals are weighing their options and studying the impact of tough decisions like raising prices. It's unclear how many have decided to cancel or delay their events for a year, though attendance so far has been flat, Rosen said.
A number have opted to remain free but request donations to help cover costs.
Problem is, not everyone is willing to pay. Donations didn't generate enough cash this year for the Sarasota Arts Day festival, and it lost so much money that organizers decided to shelve next year's event.
- The Associated Press contributed to this story.