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New to the Kingdom of Callaway County Fair this year was the mud bog held in the large arena Saturday night. A pair of bulldozers spent a good portion of Saturday morning and earlyafternoon digging "bogs" and building "hills" to be watered down in preparation for testing area trucks and drivers. Photo by Katherine Cummins.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
After a move to put more of an emphasis on music failed to draw the crowds expected, organizers of the Kingdom of Callaway County Fair say they will return to a more tried-and-true schedule next year.
(From left) Kenny Applebee and Trustin Baker have a warm-up jam before the Fiddle Contest at the Kingdom of Callaway County Fair Saturday afternoon. At the age of 13, Baker already has achieved success with fiddling, winning awards at the Missouri and Arkansas state competitions in 2011, and most recently at the Texas state competition in April.
“Our attendance was down,” Fair Board president Billy Spencer said when asked whether the 2012 fair had been a success. “Tuesday night we were right on with last year, Wednesday night we were pretty close, Thursday was about the same, Friday night we were way down, and Saturday was about normal.”
The T&C Rodeo Company once again started off Saturday night at the Kingdom of Callaway County Fair with a mutton busting event in which children got the chance to ride a sheep through the gate like their older bull riding counterparts.
Although he said he believed the heat had more of an effect on attendance than anything else, Spencer said it also did not escape the board’s notice that the one night the numbers were down the most was the night they chose to switch out the usual second derby night to bring in a big band to perform in the large arena.
“As of now, the way the board is leaning to, we’re not going to go to a big band in the arena next year because it didn’t work for us,” Spencer said, noting the board met at the end of each night throughout the week to discuss how the day had gone. “We’ll move the music back to the Budweiser stage and stick with the local bands because they had more support with the local audience.”
As usual, Spencer said the local truck and antique tractor pulls on Tuesday night “stood out pretty good,” noting the truck pull in particular had “more entries than last year.”
Comments
changeinview 10 months, 2 weeks ago
I can tell you why the attendance was down. Lack of Quality. They talk of bringing in a "big band" yet its still another no name band that won't draw people. Maybe some liked them, but its still not a "big band."
If you want people to show up, you have to have quality entertainment and give them a reason to come. Most that I talked to say they don't come because when they have been it wasn't anything special.
Bring in a quality crew to do the rides and games for the kids. Offer some real prizes for those who participate in the events and make it worth the time of people to actually come out. Charging $10 to get in for something that is sub par is going to hurt them in the future.
Organization is key as well. We should never hear over the loud speakers that they need someone to "turn off the lights" or "bring a tractor down to pull someone out." That should always be planned in advance and ready to go when needed.
lifetimeresident 10 months, 2 weeks ago
So said to say that maybe the reason the fair has had poor attendance is lack of organization, a decent Mid-way, and yes the weather. I attended the Saturday Mud bog, and while our family enjoyed the event, it started way late, had long wait times between trucks because of lack of organization. Pull off tractor was always missing.... why? Maybe if the fair would get back to the roots of the Kingdom of Callaway Fair, then more people would come. I can remember good concerts back in the day. Saywer Brown, those type of big name bands. a Rodeo that had more than just a few participants. Those were the good days..... Maybe next year.
wishing2gonorth 10 months, 2 weeks ago
The Callaway county fair is excessively expensive. A county fair should be something that people from all walks of life should be able to afford. We have no family night, and for many families just to get in to the fair they have to give up a whole days pay. It is a real shame that the state fair is less expensive, as are the rest of the surrounding county fairs.
levelhead 10 months, 2 weeks ago
I thought the fair was very fun. Sure attendence was down and other events could have been better. Since I'm not a fairboard member I'm not going to sit here and bad mouth them for trying to put on a good show. I think instead of critizing you should get off your butt and help them out.
changeinview 10 months, 1 week ago
Where is the signup list. I am willing to put an effort in if the fairboard is willing to listen.
volunteer 10 months ago
The fairboard meets the third Tuesday of each month (except Aug), so the next meeting will be September 18th. They meet at the fair grounds in the fair office. They encourage visitors to come and share their ideas and suggestions and are always looking for volunteers to help out to make the fair more enjoyable for everyone. I know this, because I have attended a couple of meetings to offer ideas, and to volunteer my time. My motto "instead of complaining, try to help find a solution".
fultoncollegegrad 10 months, 1 week ago
From the time I was a child I have always greatly enjoyed the fair until the last (roughly) 5 years. The fair board has went downhill drastically they no longer care about the people who are going to the fair only about what they want. It is sad when they want to charge $10 a person to get in when the Jefferson City fair was $10 to get in but you actually got to see a band that has recognition. There is a reason that I have not been to the fair for the last few years and I don't forsee myself going back unless something changes.
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