How fair is the fair? Survey will tell all
Podcast Episode
Kyle Geissler talks with Janesville Gazette reporter Shelly Birkelo about a survey conducted at the Rock County 4-H Fair.
Photo
Joyce Gray, right, of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Janesville, gives surveys about the Rock County 4-H Fair to Taryn Kildow, far left, and Jane Kildow, center. The surveys are being used to find out if the fair meets the needs of fairgoers and how they feel about parking and a potential new location for the event.
Photo Gallery
JANESVILLE — If you could make one change to the fair, what would it be?
Should the fair relocate?
Those were two of 10 questions asked of fairgoers in a survey at this week’s Rock County 4-H Fair.
The fair board approved the survey for two main reasons, said Wayne Flury, fair board president.
-- To see if the fair is meeting the needs of most fairgoers.
-- To solicit ideas regarding parking and a new location.
More than two dozen Retired & Senior Volunteer Program members staffed the survey tent at East Memorial Drive and North Randall Street.
Volunteers Delores Van Galder and Joyce Gray approached fairgoers as they passed the tent.
Janesville resident Diane Odegaard was more than willing to fill out the survey, which took only a couple of minutes.
“I wish it was free,’’ Odegaard said of fair admission.
“If it was, I’d come every year,’’ she wrote in response to a question about the one change she would most like to see.
Odegaard said she’d pay to get into the grandstand because she refuses to sit five hours ahead of time to see somebody.
“I’m too old for that,’’ she said.
Scott Welch, 23, of Janesville approached Van Galder and asked about the survey. When he learned it was about the fair, he took the clipboard and pen from Van Galder and began answering questions.
“I have strong feelings the fair should be moved,’’ said Welch, who has been attending for 15 years.
“The county should realize that this grounds is way too small for what they’re trying to hold,’’ Welch said.
Tony Ross, 45, of Clinton, who has three boys in 4-H, was happy to share his opinion about the need for a new fairgrounds. He is concerned about safety issues and cited the lack of space between the audience and cattle in the arena.
Others weren’t so willing to take the survey, Van Galder said.
During the first 75 minutes of Van Galder and Gray’s two-hour shift, 19 people filled out the survey. They had the choice of receiving a thank-you plastic cup with a 4-H fair logo or a vinyl CD case. Most didn’t choose either.
Flury said it was time for another survey.
The last one was taken in 1989, said Mary Check, fair office manager.
“Things change, and we decided we’d like to find out where fairgoers are coming from,’’ Flury said.
Fair board members also wanted to find out how fairgoers learn of the fair to see if their advertising dollars are being well spent, he said.
The survey results will be compiled over the next few months.
Jul 28, 2008 at 12:51 p.m.
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I don't think the cost of admission is outrageously priced. The thing that digs into the pocket book is the cost of food at the fair. That is why we pack a cooler everyday. If the fair was to let you in free, they would then have to charge you $20 or more to see the shows/entertainment. Which would you like? I do wish I would have taken a survey, I have a few comments I would have noted.
Jul 27, 2008 at 6:01 p.m.
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can someone tell me the difference between an open fair and a closed fair? thank u
Jul 26, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.
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Well, we went to the grandstand show last night. Sat in the bleachers on the right side of stage, across from the big slide. WE sat there because one of the people in the group is in a wheel chair. Because of the people "sitting" in the grassey area were not sitting we did not see very much of the show. WE need a new grandstand where everyone can sit and see the show or make it a rule that if u are going to sit in front of stage to actually sit.
another problem is the parking. DAughter had to park way down on garfield and walk to the fair. we might as well just walked from home.
y cant we use the adams school parking lot? plus there is a big grassey area where cars could park at the school as well. if you are worried about the cars "hurrting the grass" charge each car a "small" fee so the grass can be repaired. people around the fair let u park on their grass and they are not worried about the grass.
one more thing that needs to be updated are the bathrooms. As I stated earlier we had a person in a wheel chair. we had to park the chair outside the bathroom and had to help her into the bathroom and back out.
Jul 26, 2008 at 2:19 a.m.
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I say tear down G.M and Build a new Fair Ground Right there, who knows maybe G.M will help.
Jul 25, 2008 at 11:14 p.m.
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Seriously,
I have said this before can we get the 4-H horses more noticed? Our kids spend all year working on there projects. Everything from going to shows,helping out at local shows to get the Rock Co. 4-H name out their.They have to work hard. Then, when the actual fair time comes they have nothing to show all the hard work.
We go to the Walwoth Co. fair and are jealous..
Sad to say,but we can admit it.
Again,I agree it does have to do with space. I fear we will not see this change in my lifetime,sad.
Jul 25, 2008 at 10:57 p.m.
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Yes,I want to know if we did not get a chance to do survey where can we send a letter with our comments? Also I think the fair should be either free or pay one fee and that includes rides, we need a bigger place and we need to get Tractor pulls,monster trucks and destruction derby in here that would make it more then one thing to go to when you are there. Also I know that this part is not really our fairs problem but I think that wrist band day should be everyday so when some families can only come once in the week they can still get the wrist band also maybe they should make it to where you can by a pass just for rides for the entire week.. Where I am from you pay $10 to get in and that includes all rides
Jul 25, 2008 at 5:22 p.m.
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First off, the report doesn't say "only 19 people"... that was just a small spattering in a SHIFT that was reported. I'm led to believe there were many more shifts to gather the survey information, yet to come.
Yes, one can certainly chuck out some serious money at the fair. I took my 3 grandchildren (3, 6 and 7 yrs. old) their 2 parents, my second child and myself.
Between $5.00 parking at the church, the admission fee ($8.00 per 7 yrs. old or older) and 4 arm bands at $22.00(?) each, plus treating all to supper at the many food wagons, I spent $230.00.
Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! I have been to the fair nearly 20 years now and it is a tradition.
Watching my grandchildren enjoy the fair, just as my children did at that age is PRICELESS!
We're not "well off" by ANY means. We live paycheck to paycheck like most people. I have to move quite a few things around in my budget to afford it. My daughter, the one who gave me my 3 beautiful grandbabies, is a single parent now and is also going to college as well as is working a full time job, just BARELY making ends meet. This is my treat to my kids and I enjoy watching them have a splendid time.
If I were able to change anything about the fair, it would be to move to a larger location. It is really difficult to navigate a stroller and two other small children through the crowds. I don't know what to say about the cost. Everything is more expensive and the fair board has to hire the vendor of the rides, so its not the fair board that sets the ride prices. Also, I sure wouldn't want to be working in one of those food booths when its 95 degrees outside. (and dealing with crabby customers). More power to them.
Just my 2 cents worth.... but I love going to the fair!!!
Jul 25, 2008 at 5:12 p.m.
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I may have been and gotten the 2 confused... I was contending with a young one who tried unbuckling himself and opening the car door as I passed, and it was by glance... if I mistook the admission price as kids for the week, I do apologize... regardless, I won't take my little one, and haven't for 3 years... too expensive for what my family can afford...
Jul 25, 2008 at 3:23 p.m.
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We don't go to the fair anymore at all. With a family, it is just too expensive. We take the money we'd spend and go to Six Flags. I know the fair is for the 4-H and if my kids were in 4-H, we would certainly go. But, without that-- we'll take our money and do something more worth while!
Jul 25, 2008 at 2:12 p.m.
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I just went to the Waukesha County Fair on Sunday. It too is $8.00 for adults but they have two huge music tents in addition to the stage for the nightly main act. They have their own parking lot. Aside from the 2 additional music tents I don't think there is anything more there than at our fair but it is spread out a little more. Everything and everyone isn't crowded in. Another big difference is the two music stages also serve beer, which ours cannot have. I think we just need more room to spread out.
Jul 25, 2008 at 1:17 p.m.
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I love to go to the fair each year. And I don't mind paying the price. It is only $8.00. I would like to see a bigger fair gound. And maybe better music come in. But I have gone to the fair for 29 years. So it would be nice for a change.
Jul 25, 2008 at 11:27 a.m.
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I have said it before and I'll repeat, our county should wait to see what happens to the GM plant property should it become vacant. There is ample space and already parking up the wazooo. In that location, as long as there is a movement to revitalize downtown rebuilding which is a great idea, it needs to draw more people. By moving the fair and then bringing in other vendors for statwwide car shows, craft shows, concerts, and other expo opportunities, that would bring in more revenue for the city and county taxes in general and more yet promote incentive for the businesses relocating or starting up downtown.
Jul 25, 2008 at 11:02 a.m.
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you can't get accurate results off of only 19 people that took the survey... I, too, decided against going to the fair this year souly based off of the admission price... $22/adult?! that's half a tank of gas!! I'd settle at $8 for admission anytime...
Jul 25, 2008 at 10:24 a.m.
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Yes relocate the fair, if it is going to become a class C american idol fest. I dont want to hear that crap everyyear
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