County Fair sees success with lower fees, more local flavor

The numbers are in, and it appears the board's strategy to return the Kingdom of Callaway County Fair to its old-fashioned roots was successful.

According to board member Theresa Spencer, the 2013 fair brought in enough money to cover expenses, "and then some."

"With going down half the price at the gate, I was afraid it would be bad, but we did almost what we did last year charging $10, so the community was really out rooting for us," Spencer said.

Although gate fees were down by $800 on Wednesday night and $100 on Thursday, she said The Callaway Bank handed out more than 700 tickets for Callaway Bank Night on Tuesday - compared to about 300 last year - and sales were up or even the last two nights of the fair.

"0n Friday we did $5,300 - last year was $4,800, and Saturday night was around the same with $10,000," Spencer said. "Last year we had a bunch of money owed, this year, our money paid all our bills, plus some.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.