Clallam and Jefferson County fairs stand to feel the sharp blade of the state budget ax, along with other fairs statewide, should Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposed budget cuts be approved.
Clallam County Fair stands to lose about $38,000 annually in state funding from its approximately $300,000 budget, while Jefferson County could lose between $16,000 and $17,000 — about 50 percent of what it now receives from the state — from its approximately $250,000 budget.
Heather Hansen, Washington Friends of Farms and Forests executive director, who lobbies for the Washington State Fairs Association, said the state Fair Fund has a balance of $2 million for 68 fairs in the spring.
As proposed, the governor’s supplemental budget would reduce that balance to $800,000 during the current budget cycle, ending June 30. Gregoire’s 2011-2013 budget proposes the fund cut to $500,000.
The state Legislature will make the decision about the fair funds during the legislative session that begins Monday.
“The proposed cut to the Fair Fund is a death sentence for many fairs,” Hansen said.
Fair managers in both counties said they use at least half of the money received from the state Fair Fund for premiums, prize money paid to people who exhibit at the fairs.
Clallam County Fair Manager Shari Ioffrida called it “a substantial loss.”
Sue McIntire, Jefferson County Fair board treasurer, said that about half is used for premiums, while the rest goes to ribbons, entertainment and fairgrounds maintenance and improvements.
Ioffrida and McIntire are both urging those who participate in and visit the fairs each year to contact their local lawmakers to voice support for the fair programs that are threatened to lose state dollars.
Hansen said the cut would result in an overall loss in state revenue.
“As fairs close their gates, the state stands to lose more in foregone sales tax revenue than it saves by cutting the Fair Fund,” she said, adding that “the cost to communities is immeasurable.
“Fairs play a vital role in economic development for numerous small businesses,” she said.
“Vendors create jobs and sales tax revenue.”
Ioffrida said many community organizations use the fair for major fundraisers.
“We would like to encourage Clallam County residents, community groups, 4-H groups, [Future Farmers of America], granges, fair superintendents, exhibitors, vendors and service members to contact their state lawmakers and ask them to protect the Fair Fund,” she said.
Ioffrida said her fair board and county leaders still had to decide where cuts might be made.
Clallam County Fair has about 1,500 exhibitors, 800 of which are youths. Annual Clallam fair attendance averages about 30,000.
McIntire said the loss of state funds could hit Jefferson County Fair very hard because it receives only $4,500 a year from the county.
“We may have to eliminate or cut back on how much we pay out for premiums and reduce the number of ribbons given out,” McIntire said.
“At this point, we think we will be able to survive, barring any unforeseen problems. But we will have to cut back on any improvements or upgrades to the grounds.”
About $25,000 of the Jefferson County budget comes from special fundraising events, such as the JeffCo Expo on April 24-25, the Community Garage Sale on March 19 and the JeffCo Holiday Fair on Nov. 5-6.
The balance of Jefferson County Fair budget dollars is raised on the fairgrounds through the campground, vehicle storage and building rentals.
Jefferson County Fair has about 750 exhibitors, about 250 of which are youths. Annual attendance averages about 14,000.
McIntire said Jefferson County Fair already has resorted to cutting its entertainment budget, opting for local acts.
Clallam County still offers bigger-name acts on its stages.
“Our entertainment budget for this year has been cut, but we are still going to be able to bring in some pretty good entertainment — some headliners,” Ioffrida said.
McIntire said the fair would likely lose participants if it has to cut premiums.
“A lot of the cattle people won’t come,” she said.
“It’s expensive to bring a string of animals to the fair. It could hamper youths and others from entering into the state fair.”
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.