Discussions

I was reading the Brandon Sun today where fair organizers said this years attendance was down by approximately 2000 visitors. They said the cold weather on the weekend was to blame as much as it was Easter weekend.  
 
Interestingly, comments on the Brandon Sun Facebook page had people complaining about the price of gate admission and that the entertainment was boring.  
 
Thoughts?

Just wondering, do they not charge the people with booths a fee for being there? Also, do they not charge entrance fees for all the events? Then why do they charge so much to get in? If you stay all day then the $20 price tag is not so bad, but when you have a family and the only big interests are the petting zoo, it wasn't really worth it. Lesson learned that's for sure. Think we will skip it for a couple more years and try again. The trade show was really disappointing. I think I was expecting more by way of home based business and crafting and not all the extremely pushy sales pitches and people chasing after us to try their items. I hate that!  
Doodles was awful and the guy that followed him with his magic show or whatever wasn't great so we left that. I would have loved to get to Fred Penner or the Backyardigans but those were days I had to work.  
I know some people really like all the events and can stay all day and that's great. That's not my family so (expensive) lesson learned.

Adult - $20  
Senior - $18  
Youth - $18  
Child - $9  
 
3 day pass - $53  
6 day pass - $100  
 
Sure people will say where can you go for entertainment all day for $20. It is a great deal. Well sure if you are into that but as a casual person who isn't too interested in watching farm animals I think $20 is a little pricey. I might watch the odd horse show or see the so called super dogs, but wouldn't spend all day hanging out there. I would spend $10 to go to the fair.

Personally I think that the price is not bad for a full day event providing they actually have something to see. We pay more money to go to a 2 hour movie but nobody really thinks about that.  
 
My issue is with the entertainment. It’s the same old same old. Nothing is new. Things are slowly disappearing.  
 
We were 1st time Vendors this year. Unfortunately the high cost to book a booth and the low revenue will not bring us back next year. I got a real eye opener when it comes to the prices people are paying to actually be at the fair. There is a reason the food prices are so high.  
 
We have been going to the fair almost every year for the past 40 years as spectators. I will say that I have witnessed such a decline in what is being offered as well as the displays. It’s unfortunate because it’s a vicious circle. The less attend the less money is made which means less attractions and higher cost.  
 
I did a lot of talking with other vendors, food vendors, horse people. They are all saying the same. Costs are up and revenue/prize money is not.  
 
I personally think there is a steady decline and it’s only going to get worse unless something changes things up.

I will admit the gate price is getting a little high for a family. The entertainment was what we were expecting, nothing special but its always enjoyable. I like the horse jumping and the showdogs. Grand kids liked the petting zoo. Pretty similar to every other year. Will likely go again next year.  
 
RC123 I don't know where you go to watch movies but we never pay $20 or more to see one.  
 
Edited by Ms.Daisy, 2018-04-02 15:49:08

was just looking at the price for admission for the Brandon Home Show which starts this week (just after the fair) and the price to get in to see the trade show is $10/day.  
 
So I think with the fair charging $20 per day (adult) where you can watch various shows, petting zoo, exhibits, food, vendors... the price of admission really isn't all that bad.  
 
I wonder for those who went to the winter fair...what did you enjoy or dislike? I personally think the super dogs are boring but the kids seem to like the show. I personally love the agricultural aspect of the fair, the horse shows, cattle shows etc.

What I am getting at is a movie is around $12 or so per person and runs around 2 hours. For $20 you get a full day of entertainment. Not really expensive if you look st it that way. You don’t have to eat the food there.

We had a bogo coupon and my kids were free. So the gate admission didn't bother me. However we only go for 2 or so hours before my kids get bored, so once we have to start paying the higher gate price as well as stuff inside, I doubt we'll continue to go.

RC123 said "What I am getting at is a movie is around $12 or so per person and runs around 2 hours. For $20 you get a full day of entertainment. Not really expensive if you look st it that way. You don’t have to eat the food there. "

Gotcha! So what you are saying is a movie is half the price of the fair and for 2 hours I will see something I have never seen before.  
 
The Home Show is a terrible example. I have no idea how that is even still going. $10 to see a bunch of hot tubs. No thanks. I wonder how Ag Days can put on such a huge show and there is no admission. Do the vendors at the Home Show take a cut of the admission??  
 
The Winter Fair is expensive no other way to describe it  
 
Edited by Ms.Daisy, 2018-04-02 16:01:47

Ms.Daisy said "    RC123 said "What I am getting at is a movie is around $12 or so per person and runs around 2 hours. For $20 you get a full day of entertainment. Not really expensive if you look st it that way. You don’t have to eat the food there. " Gotcha! So what you are saying is a movie is half the price of the fair and for 2 hours I will see something I have never seen before.     The Home Show is a terrible example. I have no idea how that is even still going. $10 to see a bunch of hot tubs. No thanks. I wonder how Ag Days can put on such a huge show and there is no admission. Do the vendors at the Home Show take a cut of the admission??     The Winter Fair is expensive no other way to describe it     Edited by Ms.Daisy, 2018-04-02 16:01:47"

the homeshow is a poor example. I just meant that when it comes to vendors... like going to SEE displays that are offered similar to those at winter fair, that $10 entrance fee is high. For $10 more you can see vendors & take in various types of entertainment from horse jumping to magic shows and the likes of Fred Penner.

Movie can suck just the same. Just because it’s something new doesn’t mean it’s good lol  
 
I personally enjoy watching the horse jumping, heavy horses, kids costume class, pig scrambles, petting zoo, walking through the barns. The Birds of Prey was a nice show to watch this year.  
 
The super dogs need to go, most of the entertainment is the same as usual (Doodles, puppet guy), the kids hobby horse competition was something that should take place during the day not during the night show.  
 
I still think it is worth the $20.  
 
I would love to see the bird section from years ago brought back, the rare breed section, maybe a new petting zoo setup or group. Bring in sheep shearing competition or a dog herding competition.  
 
But it all costs money and if spectators aren’t willing to pay then attractions get cut

And yes a lot of the same vendors will be at the home show as they have left their booth there for the week

That I would take the Grandkids, 8 and 10, after 2 hours they were bored and wanting to go home. They are town kids and were scared of the critters at the farm gate displays. I thought they would enjoy that, as well as learn something. I don''t t think they believed me when  
I told them their milk, cheese butter all came from those big dairy cows, just got this dumb stare. The younger one was interested in the pork carcasses until I told him his bacon and ham came from there. Maybe just ruined his appetite.  
The dogs and predator events were interesting to them, but the dogs were on for all of 15 minutes, and similar with the predators(afternoon show) then nothing much in the show ring till 6:30. No way were the kids staying that long. So no return visit for us.  
And at a cost of $54.00 for the four of us, it was money wasted in my mind.  
 
Edited by Tunnelvision, 2018-04-02 16:27:02

I really don’t think the $20 is worth it. I don’t know very many people who spend the whole day there. I take my daycare kids on the Monday before 9 to get in for $5 and we are home by 4 only because we watch the super dog show. They’re usually ready to go a couple hours before that but we tough it out haha. The entertainment is usually the same year to year and honestly, it doesn’t hold their attention. They do like the petting zoo but the line to get in is long. Id like to see that area expand or have 2 areas to allow more people in at a time. They love the sandbox and the tractor ride on toys. Doodles is okay, the balloon guy this year scared them but they did find the ventriloquist funny which I found surprising. In previous years we have went to see Fred Penner and while I enjoyed the memories of my past, they didn’t find him entertaining  
 
I thought the super dogs changed it up a bit this year but after being an hour late (totally get why!!) it was disappointing to only have them on for 30 mins as it’s one of the main reasons we go.  
 
We toured the trade show but honestly it’s just to take a quick peek. We don’t browse because we don’t want to get sucked into any sales pitches lol.  
 
I really don’t know how you could spend the whole day there and not be bored at some point since all the entertainment is repetitive and you can see them 2-3x throughout the day  
 
Now, saying that, I will continue to go on Mondays because it’s cheaper and it’s something to do but I wouldn’t pay the $20/day very many years unless the entertainment that day was something special. I do LOVE and appreciate that kids under 6 are free so for that I say, thank you!!

Forgot to add, for a family like my aunts, it now costs them $112 just to get in because they have older kids. No they don’t have to spend money on food but how fun is that? Lol. So unfortunately, they haven’t joined us in the past few years due to the cost. Maybe a family pass could be something they’d look into? (Or is there one already??)

no way I am paying $40 for my wife, my son and me go to to the winter fair. Son would be bored in 2 hrs max. Rather take that 40$ and go for a nice lunch with the family, which is a lot more enjoyable.

Definitely not the weather for us. I ain’t paying $40 to get my husband and I Plus 2 kids to get in. I enjoy watching the horses, but definitely couldn’t get my kids to sit there and watch with me.

No kids to take, but we enjoyed the horse jumping, the Super dogs, the heavy horses and the mini donuts!!!

Every year people complain about the price to get in and that the entertainment is the same. Are there volunteer positions available that those people can help to make suggestions or bring in new entertainment?  
 
Personally, I go to the Fair and will continue every year. I don't think the admission price is terrible. I am not sure what people are referring to, having to pay for once inside - I have never paid for anything other events.  
 
I don't have kids, but often go with my sister and her family. We have never gone to the entertainers like the clown etc. We always watch the events in the Main Arena. The events might be the same, but that's like saying every hockey game is the same - different competitors, so to me it's always different. There are also events taking place in the Ag Center, like the NAERIC Futurity competition.

Would spend 100.00 for my family to get into RMWF than I would for me to spend money to get into an overpriced hockey game featuring the wheat kings

What people don’t always think about is the revenue that this fair brings to our town’s businesses. This is one of those events that brings people to Brandon who spend money... hotels, shopping, restaurants. It’s not just the fair that makes money, it’s everyone! I personally think that with the free kids tickets the value was there. We love the farm stuff and my “city kids” enjoy seeing where their food comes from.  
 
Speaking with vendors I’ve heard that it is very expensive to rent a booth. Maybe that’s why we’re losing vendors year after year.

Nothing to do with weather for us. Cost is a factor, as well as there is nothing there that appeals to us to draw us in. As mentioned, it’s the same type of thing every year. We stopped going about 5 years ago. We liked the petting zoo, so we just check it out at summer fair instead now. If cost was a little lower, we may be inclined to go walk around and at least order food from vendors.  
Just my opinion.

So reading majority of these comments regarding the winter fair. It’s safe to say almost everyone commenting has children or grandchildren to take to the fair. That’s great - like I’ve read, there’s the petting zoo, super dogs, horse jumping, magic shows, doodles the clown (cringe), and various other events. The last time I went to the fair I took my nephew who’s now 10 but he was maybe 4 or 5. We did all those things - coming from a 5 yr old he said it was boring. As an adult I thought it was boring. - I used to go as a kid and nothing has changed and I’m in my early 30’s now. As a single adult there is nothing that interests my age group that doesn’t have kids to take to magic shows or the petting zoo. Don’t get me wrong I love the petting zoo but it’s not worth $20 for 20 min of entertainment if that. I think by increasing the price to an event that is loosing its charm to make up for money lost due to lack of tourists is the wrong way to go about it. Sometimes when something that used to do really well 20 years ago might need on overhaul to bring back the life, love and excitement it once had. After all As time goes on the demographic changes. I find the winter fair’s demographic these days is geared to children and seniors - the groups that don’t have disposable income. I wouldn’t mind paying the $20 for a day pass if there was something worth going for. 2000 people attending a fair in a community 49,000 (just Brandon not including the surrounding area) should be an eye opener for those putting on the fair. Those are not good numbers!

Attendance was down 2000. They still had 110,000 people through.  
 
We were Vendors for the first time. Yes the price is high but if people are spending then that is not an issue. It is a 6 day sale with high traffic so in reality the cost isn’t that bad IF people buy. Unfortunately what I heard from Other vendors is people were just not spending

RC123 said "Movie can suck just the same. Just because it’s something new doesn’t mean it’s good lol     I personally enjoy watching the horse jumping, heavy horses, kids costume class, pig scrambles, petting zoo, walking through the barns. The Birds of Prey was a nice show to watch this year.     The super dogs need to go, most of the entertainment is the same as usual (Doodles, puppet guy), the kids hobby horse competition was something that should take place during the day not during the night show.     I still think it is worth the $20.     I would love to see the bird section from years ago brought back, the rare breed section, maybe a new petting zoo setup or group. Bring in sheep shearing competition or a dog herding competition.     But it all costs money and if spectators aren’t willing to pay then attractions get cut "

While I agree the entertainment can be updated, but the "The super dogs need to go"? Have you seen how many people are in the seats (and on the wall) for the super dogs, compared to pretty much ANYTHING else at the fair? Without the super dogs - their would not be a winter fair. Probably the biggest draw to families the fair had.  
 
As for entertainment, I did enjoy the Bird of prey show (wish it was longer). Personally , I think $20 is fair for what you get. Too bad there was not logistically feasible way to charge a smaller hourly rate for those that really want to go for say an hour or so. Of course, everyone would say I am going for an hour, and stay however long they wanted, so they have no choice but the charge the daily rate. I think they drop the rate later in the evening, but there is less entertainment then too (I could be wrong on this).

Yes I agree that the super dogs are in fact a huge draw for all kids. But yes I still believe that they need to replace them. With what I have no idea. But there is a need to find a new act that draws the same if not more people because let’s be honest here, they have the same show, the same tricks, the same old same old. And if it wasn’t for the fact that the kids love dogs they would be gone long time ago. There has to be something out there that will bring the crowd but I just don’t think they are looking to hard.  
 
Once those kids get a bit older like many have commented the kids are getting bored and not wanting to stay.

I can not see them leaving and I hope they don’t! Anyone who knows me knows I am NOT an animal person and even I enjoy those dogs lol. Not having the super dogs at the fair would be a dumb move imo.  
 
And yes after 5pm, the admission goes to $13 which is nice for those who want to go to the evening show. If I didn’t have daycare kids that I like to take, I would just do that with my husband  
 
Also, just wanted to say that the music group they had this year was really good!

RC123 said "Yes I agree that the super dogs are in fact a huge draw for all kids. But yes I still believe that they need to replace them. With what I have no idea. But there is a need to find a new act that draws the same if not more people because let’s be honest here, they have the same show, the same tricks, the same old same old. And if it wasn’t for the fact that the kids love dogs they would be gone long time ago. There has to be something out there that will bring the crowd but I just don’t think they are looking to hard.     Once those kids get a bit older like many have commented the kids are getting bored and not wanting to stay. "

It is a huge draw, so they would be crazy to drop it. Supplement it sure, but replace? Some kids as they get older don't want to see it anymore is true (my daughter this year). But your asking for an act that will appeal to all ages, and all people. Why not keep the act that is a huge draw to the kids (and thus the whole family), and many adults, and get another act that draws well. This year the Birds of Prey show was well attended (not as well as the dogs of course) so I think that was a good addition (maybe not every year - though I would love that).

For me the super dogs makes me get up and leave. My child was at the fair 4 days during the week and only watched the show once

RC123 said "For me the super dogs makes me get up and leave. My child was at the fair 4 days during the week and only watched the show once "

Each to there own is right for sure! But from a business standpoint, it does not make sense to replace your number one draw. Can't appeal to everyone (wish I could find something that would - I would be a billionaire).