2023 fair convention focused on fun

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois county fair boards are focused on fun — and funds — in the 2023 fair year.

“Illinois county fairs are back,” said Jill Hardesty, president of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs and secretary of the Fisher Community Fair.

Hardesty presided over the 2023 IAAF convention and annual meeting that saw fair boards from across the state gather in Springfield to talk about the past year and the year ahead for their fairs.

“I think the mood is very upbeat. Everybody, across the state, had record attendance this past fair season. We get calls and emails about how wonderful our fairs were. We just have to focus on that, on the positivity and fix the negative things,” she said.

With a theme of “Let’s Have Fun,” the 2023 IAAF convention featured guest speakers, roundtable discussions and a trade show, with vendors showing off a variety of services and products, including entertainment options ranging from monster trucks to a dinosaur park and a variety of musical acts.

Hardesty said the focus for the IAAF and its members remains on family.

“North to south, east to west, we’re all one big family and that’s what we try to do here at the convention, everybody as one and we need to do everything for everybody, not just one certain area,” she said.

With many fairs still recovering from cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hardesty said that one area fair boards are focusing on is expenses.

“Everybody has seen their expenses increase. Our expenses have just skyrocketed. The toilet paper at our fair — how much can toilet paper cost? But it adds up,” she said.

“Because of that, we just have to keep reminding everybody that, hey, your expenses are going to be this much, so you have to watch your income and your expenses.”

Another expense that has continued to increase for fairs is insurance.

“Insurance is always a big one. We spend probably three-quarters of our rehab money on insurance. Because of that, for many fairs, there’s no money for paint or to fix a building up. Our fair is small, so that takes a big chunk out of our bottom line,” Hardesty said.

Funding from the state has decreased, but Hardesty said the IAAF has a legislative liaison in Springfield who works to keep the association’s name and the issue of funding fairs front and center for state lawmakers.

“That person is in Springfield every day, helping us as an association, making those contacts so state lawmakers know we are here and so they don’t forget about us,” she said.

Hardesty said fairgoers in 2023 can look forward to the traditional fair favorites, as well as new additions to many fair schedules.

“I think a lot of fairs are jumping on the concert bandwagon. We have a lot of good talent agencies out there and they are helping fairs that haven’t yet had the opportunity to get into the market and bring something different to their fairs, whether it be gospel or country or rock or some of the tribute shows,” she said.

“I think concerts are going to be a big thing this year. Motorsports continue to be a big draw at fairs. Tractor pulls, demolition derbies, events like that.”

Another challenge for fair boards is to attract and keep young people involved, not only in the fairs themselves, but in membership on fair boards and as volunteers.

Hardesty said one way that the Fisher Community Fair has addressed the issue is to create a junior fair board, made up of FFA members and ag students from the local high school.

“They are an integral part of our fair. They are our legs, for the older members of the fair board. They do anything we want them to do. If we ask them to go clean stalls, they grab their pitchforks. If we want them to help take down a stage, they are right there working on it,” she said.

The junior fair board members also are consulted when it comes to fair attractions designed for young people.

“We’ll say, hey, you youngsters, what do you think? Will a DJ in a building work? Will the kids, the teenagers, come to that? And sometimes they say yes and sometimes they say no, nah, which is OK,” Hardesty said. “Why should we spend money on something like that when they don’t think it will work?”

Hardesty urged people to get out and not only attend their local and community fairs, but volunteer, too.

“Please go attend your local county fairs. And just ask them and go help out, too. You can help out one hour or you can help out for 10 hours. Any help is appreciated and you’ll be helping your community out, as well,” she said.