About 1,500 fewer people visited the Green County Fair this year than in 2007.
Fair Treasurer Susan Konopacki said some of the decline probably was due to a struggling economy and higher gas prices, and it almost certainly was.
However, Times online readers have for the past couple weeks been giving what they think is another reason for the downturn - the fair just isn't what it used to be, in their opinion.
A Times online poll, while unscientific, showed a strong majority of respondents (99 out of 165, or 59 percent) felt the fair was worse this year than last year. Only 5 percent (9) felt the fair was better. The rest said it was about the same.
In addition to the unfavorable poll results have been a number of critical reader comments and "barbs."
Fair organizers should be troubled by this, and should not discount it. They should give strong consideration to what is being said. But there's also an opportunity for the Green County Fair Board members to turn the negative comments into a positive by soliciting ideas and making changes for future fairs.
If they do, there also is a challenge to those who have been critical to contribute constructive input, and perhaps work and volunteer efforts, toward improving the fair.
Green County Fair Board members are dedicated, many have worked on the fair for a long time. They want the fair to be the best it can be, and want attendance to increase rather than decrease.
The people offering criticisms obviously feel passionate about the fair, too. If they didn't, they wouldn't go, or they certainly wouldn't take the time to comment.
That combined passion for the fair can yield positive change if it is harnessed correctly.
Some of the criticisms about this year's fair have been that the price of admission is too high, the rides are unsafe, there were fewer rides for kids and adults, and the grandstand entertainment wasn't "current" enough. Some people, in their comments, even volunteered to help the board find better musical acts.
The fair does provide local kids, and even adults, a great place to show animals. The board should be proud of the fair's reputation as one of the best in the area for animal shows.
Now, it must work to raise the rest of the fair to that standard in terms of other entertainment for youth and young adults. Perhaps local bands could be invited to play. We're sure many of them would be flattered. Perhaps rock or pop music could be included in the mix with the traditional country lineup.
There is time until the next fair to consider any and all suggestions. As difficult as it must be for Fair Board members to hear criticism of the hard work and effort they put into organizing the fair, they should seize the opportunity and attention, and take the fair in new directions.
Fair Treasurer Susan Konopacki said some of the decline probably was due to a struggling economy and higher gas prices, and it almost certainly was.
However, Times online readers have for the past couple weeks been giving what they think is another reason for the downturn - the fair just isn't what it used to be, in their opinion.
A Times online poll, while unscientific, showed a strong majority of respondents (99 out of 165, or 59 percent) felt the fair was worse this year than last year. Only 5 percent (9) felt the fair was better. The rest said it was about the same.
In addition to the unfavorable poll results have been a number of critical reader comments and "barbs."
Fair organizers should be troubled by this, and should not discount it. They should give strong consideration to what is being said. But there's also an opportunity for the Green County Fair Board members to turn the negative comments into a positive by soliciting ideas and making changes for future fairs.
If they do, there also is a challenge to those who have been critical to contribute constructive input, and perhaps work and volunteer efforts, toward improving the fair.
Green County Fair Board members are dedicated, many have worked on the fair for a long time. They want the fair to be the best it can be, and want attendance to increase rather than decrease.
The people offering criticisms obviously feel passionate about the fair, too. If they didn't, they wouldn't go, or they certainly wouldn't take the time to comment.
That combined passion for the fair can yield positive change if it is harnessed correctly.
Some of the criticisms about this year's fair have been that the price of admission is too high, the rides are unsafe, there were fewer rides for kids and adults, and the grandstand entertainment wasn't "current" enough. Some people, in their comments, even volunteered to help the board find better musical acts.
The fair does provide local kids, and even adults, a great place to show animals. The board should be proud of the fair's reputation as one of the best in the area for animal shows.
Now, it must work to raise the rest of the fair to that standard in terms of other entertainment for youth and young adults. Perhaps local bands could be invited to play. We're sure many of them would be flattered. Perhaps rock or pop music could be included in the mix with the traditional country lineup.
There is time until the next fair to consider any and all suggestions. As difficult as it must be for Fair Board members to hear criticism of the hard work and effort they put into organizing the fair, they should seize the opportunity and attention, and take the fair in new directions.
