We all know the fair is great. Many of us grew up going there and we all take our kids every summer. What’s not to like, with the rides, exhibits, farm animals, food – and pig races!? Every year, the fair wins national prizes that go mostly unheralded except amongst the fair professionals (I’m talking about national experts, not “carnies”). This year is no exception, except that our fair won even more recognition than usual.
Perhaps the most exciting is that, with a 21.5% increase in attendance, the Alameda County Fair is the fastest growing fair in the United States for 2009, according to carnivalwarehouse.com. Wow! Who knew? A record turnout of 434,919 visitors enjoyed the fair last year.
2009 was the fifth year in a row that the fair (our fair) received more awards than any other fair in the United States and Canada. The Alameda County Fair won 23 first place awards and 52 total Western Fair Association Awards at the 87th Annual Achievement Awards Convention in Reno, NV last week. Some of the first place awards were for Community Outreach, Emergency Plans, Conservation Program, Children’s Program and Customer Service Training.
According to The Independent newspaper:
The Alameda County Fair is now ranked 41st on the list of Top 50 North American Fairs. This is the highest ranking in the history of the Alameda County Fair. Of particular note, 10 of the fairs larger than the Alameda County Fair are State fairs, while the Alameda County Fair is successfully operated by the nonprofit Fair Association, without any tax funding from the governments.
“We have become a flagship in our industry and will continue to be a leader in promoting strong community involvement” commented CEO Rick Pickering. In recognition of his personal leadership in the Fair Industry, Rick Pickering was elected to serve a second term as the Chairman of the California Fair Alliance.
Way to go Rick and staff. The annual fair, car shows and other events held at the fairgrounds year round make the Alameda County Fairgrounds a destination for many people throughout California and the western states. It’s another example of the many great things that make living in Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon or anywhere in the Tri-Valley so great.
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Alameda County Fair – Fastest Growing In the Nation