* Press release…
Nearly 124,000 people attended the Du Quoin State Fair this year, up 23% from last year’s attendance of just over 100,000 people. The attendance is the highest in at least four years.
“The 2019 Du Quoin State Fair was a record hit, with double digit increases in attendance, grandstand ticket sales and revenue – but more importantly, the people of Southern Illinois had a great time enjoying everything the fair had to offer,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “My administration has invested in improving the Du Quoin fairgrounds, and I’m committed to making this historic fair successful for decades to come, so that this economic engine can continue to benefit not only Du Quoin, but all of Southern Illinois.”
“This year’s success at the Du Quoin State Fair is humbling as we work to bring the fair back to what I remember as a kid,” said Josh Gross, Du Quoin State Fair Manager. “The fair was an event that you circled on your calendar and something you would never miss. Our goal is to bring it back to a can’t miss event, and the jump in attendance we’ve seen shows we’re moving in the right direction.”
The increased attendance follows a key decision by fair officials this year to cut the $2 admission cost, making it free for all to attend. Other indicators also demonstrate the fair’s improvements this year. The grandstand saw a 26% increase in tickets sales and 37% increase in revenue this fair season, generating more than $97,000. The 2020 Du Quoin State Fair will run August 28- September 7.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 11:40 am:
Well back they go to boycotting Nike, the NFL, Walmart and Keurig. I’m sure I missed some.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 11:40 am:
Great news, and great that the haters had zero negative impact.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 11:42 am:
“Proof once again that liberals want free stuff.” /s
If they had raised admission prices you would be on here saying Liberals just want to raise taxes and fees.
Got anything else?
- Say What? - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 11:43 am:
The take away may well be that the citizens of the region see the value in the Fair and that eclipses any dust up over the band situation.
The free admission is also a likely factor in the increased attendance.
- Been There - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 11:43 am:
Not knocking it nor necessarily doubting it but if you are not charging for admission how did they keep count? Still go through a turnstile or is someone at the gates with a counter? Or is it just an estimate using some other means? Either way it was obviously more successful than in the past few.
- Froganon - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 11:43 am:
Proof once again that “free stuff” increases profits and participation.
- lakeside - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 11:52 am:
==The free admission is also a likely factor in the increased attendance.==
Not exactly a ringing endorsement that folks seem to think the fair provides not even $2 worth of value.
I choose to believe that increased media visibility and a promise that there *wouldn’t be confederate flags and/or paraphernalia present* were the contributing factors to this resounding success. Speaking for myself, I would be more likely to attend any event where the promoters indicated there wouldn’t be casually racist stuff hanging around.
I think I said this on another Du Quoin post, but we did it you guys. Well done, all around.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 11:54 am:
Impressive #s Especially since harness racing got washed out
- ChrisB - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 12:03 pm:
Maybe a little Barbara Streisand effect too?
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 12:11 pm:
The old saying seems to hold true: “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
I suspect that the $2 admission charge did not impact attendance. More likely is that awareness of the fair was increased by the news stories.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 12:11 pm:
The trick for next year will be figuring out which grandstand act to cancel…
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 12:26 pm:
==The trick for next year will be figuring out which grandstand act to cancel…==
Have Confederate Railroad cancel again. Illinois got to keep the cancellation fee and CR got a few extra gigs out of it. Win/win for everyone.
- Say What - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 12:45 pm:
=I choose to believe that increased media visibility and a promise that there *wouldn’t be confederate flags and/or paraphernalia present* were the contributing factors to this resounding success. Speaking for myself, I would be more likely to attend any event where the promoters indicated there wouldn’t be casually racist stuff hanging around.=
Reality check: Trump won 73% of the vote in Perry County (the site of the Fair). Surrounding Counties were similar in numbers.
The free admission is significantly more likely for the increase than the above stated rational. Just sayin’.
- the Patriot - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 12:49 pm:
Local and legislative leaders did a good job of addressing the ramifications of boycot on the fair in the long term. Attendance is also driven mostly by weather, and what else happens to be going on at the time.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 12:53 pm:
===Reality check: Trump won 73%===
You’re suggesting Trump voters are Confederate-loving racists?
- Not a Billionaire - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 1:00 pm:
There was,a boycott of Dicks sporting Goods over guns it was such a success that now Dicks is thinking about dumping everything hunting related.Another boycott backfire.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 1:01 pm:
===You’re suggesting Trump voters are Confederate-loving racists?===
Walked right into that one.
The connection between racism and this current administration isn’t accidental, it’s becoming more and more overt. It’s not an accident.
The hiding behind the patriotic act of supporting a POTUS to support the unpatriotic act of racism and supporting the confederacy is the few folks worried about their own perception. That number seemingly is shrinking too.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 1:35 pm:
“The trick for next year will be figuring out which grandstand act to cancel… ” My band would be more than willing to get paid to not play.
- Say What? - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 1:47 pm:
===You’re suggesting Trump voters are Confederate-loving racists?======
Suggesting that they weren’t outraged over the entire ordeal to begin with . . . . .
- Uncle Ernie - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 2:19 pm:
My southern Illinois family swore that there would be a boycott and a harassing of the Governor. Well that didn’t happen, more people, lots of fun, grandstand success…what’s to complain about. this administration fixed up the grounds so people could be proud of their fair once again. I cannot believe the attendance was impacted that much by a free admission, when it was only $2.00, people will come and enjoy anyway.
- Southern - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 2:36 pm:
Suggesting that they weren’t outraged over the entire ordeal to begin with . . . . .
Agreed. Lived here my whole life, and there was more talk on here and in the media by people who weren’t going to the Fair regardless of who was playing or who was removed. Media created drama.
- Former State Employee - Tuesday, Sep 10, 19 @ 3:08 pm:
Snark……..Well Rich, your behind the scenes conspiracy to destroy the Du Quoin Fair failed…….lol.