Increase in attendance and youth participation at King County Fair

September 2, 2015

Summary

Bellevue 4H winners brief Council Committee

Story

The 2015 edition of the King County Fair, the oldest state fair west of the Mississippi, saw a huge boost in attendance and youth participation. The Bellevue-based Kelsey Creek Critters 4-H group was one of the participants at the July event and a member of the group spoke to the Metropolitan King County Council’s Committee of the Whole today.

The Kelsey Creek Critters 4-H group had 19 members along their rabbits entered in fair. “We were very excited to see the fair back under local management,” said Fiona Hubbard of the Kelsey Creek Critter Club. “Congratulations goes to Brendan Pope for winning Best Rabbit in Show with his broken mini Rex Doe. Brendan is the first Critter to win Best in Show at the Fair in over a decade.”

Brendan capped his day with a champion ribbon in Breeder's Choice, a competition open to 4-Hers who enter rabbits that they've bred and raised from infancy.

“It was great to hear how much 4H youth from the Kelsey Creek Critters and Vashon Rock Riders appreciated our continuing support of the King County Fair,” said King County Council vice-chair Jane Hague. “The fair helps 4H youth showcase their year-round hard work with their animals while developing teamwork, leadership and communications skills.”

The King County Fair is a valuable training ground younger and first time competitors. Participant who win competitions at county fairs, can then compete at the next level, the Washington State Fair in Puyallup.

“What is clear from today’s testimony is how important the Fair is to our youth agricultural programs throughout King County,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “To continue to have locally produced food we need to help encourage and train tomorrow’s farmers.”

In 2014, fair attendance dropped to 7,600. The total number of fairgoers in 2015 was 15,700, double the number from last year. 2015 revenues were five times greater than what was paid to the city by the previous fair operator in 2014.

The fair also saw a “Bumper Crop” from the 4-H ranks, with 475 kids, who with the help of 236 volunteers, were able to display 364 animals, which accounted for 359 exhibits.