Small fairs offer economic benefits to their communities but their social and educational impacts are just as important, according to a survey done at 20 fairs in 2008.
The main purpose of the federally funded $500,000 survey was to quantify the benefits that fairs bring, said Kim Chadsey, associate executive director of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions.
Preliminary results show that larger fairs provide economic benefits worth tens of millions of dollars and support hundreds of jobs spanning many industries.
In addition, “the vast majority of fairgoers believe fairs are an important Canadian tradition, are great places for families and provide an important venue for consumers to learn about agriculture and food,” Chadsey said in an e-mail.
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Larger fairs attract hundreds of thousands of attendees, but they are less likely to be considered community gathering places, she added.
“In smaller communities, fairs are an annual tradition with more of an agricultural focus. The differences in size are much more significant than geographic differences. For example, the fair in Abbotsford, B.C., would have much more in common with Truro, Nova Scotia, than the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver.”
The survey found that one of the greatest strengths of fairs is that they appeal to all ages and many types of people. In contrast, sports and arts events typically attract niche groups or specific audiences. For this reason, fairs will continue to be among the largest annual events in the communities where they operate.
“Many traditional agricultural attractions such as cattle judging have scaled back over the years. However, the more progressive fairs have begun to focus on agriculture and food education pavilions, which are often sponsored by government agencies or corporations.”
Chadsey said farmers are still an integral part of small and medium fairs, but larger urban exhibitions, such as Edmonton’s, tend to hold a separate agricultural event at a different time from the more general event.
There is no federal funding for fairs other than some specific projects.
Provincial support varies, meaning an uncertain stream of revenue.
According to Chadsey, most fairs rely on their own resources and revenue sources, such as gate receipts and sponsorships. Some fairs also run beer tents and other activities to raise funds.
“The fairs that own their own grounds may also raise funds through rental of property. That’s actually a growing trend that includes things like hosting and catering events for their communities. They may also offer off-season storage facilities that will bring in revenue …. some fairs also have revenue from horse racing and other gambling activities that take place on their grounds.”
There are 915 fairs held each year in Canada. They vary in length from one day to two weeks.
