Sure, thousands of people (or maybe even a million) come through your gates during the fair, but what about the rest of the year?
Fairgrounds are a versatile environment that can cater to the needs of many different types of events throughout the off-season, generating revenue and keeping your fair relevant in the community. Planning and hosting an event also provides a unique opportunity for sponsorship and connecting with local businesses.
With their vast and versatile spaces, fairgrounds can be transformed into a variety of venues, from concert arenas and exhibition halls to outdoor festivals and sporting events. The different facilities and buildings available on fairgrounds provide a range of options for event planners, including indoor and outdoor spaces, grandstands, pavilions, and even camping grounds.
The possibilities are endless!
Below are five different off season events at fairs we’ve partnered with. Take inspiration from them and start planning your next off-season event today!
Wine & Chocolate Festival – Enumclaw Event Center/King County Fair
The Enumclaw Expo Center at the King County Fairgrounds hosts an annual Wine & Chocolate can sip, savor, and shop some of their favorite regional offerings. For two nights in February, Washington State wineries and local confectioners gather at a fairgrounds just south of Seattle, and visitors come to taste wines and snack on chocolates while they shop from one of the many vendors.
Elkhorn Antique Flea Market – Walworth County Fairgrounds
Walworth County Fairgrounds is home to many treasures, including Southeastern Wisconsin’s largest antique flea market. The Elkhorn Antique Flea Market has been held four times a year at the fairgrounds since 1982, and today hosts over 500 vendors and attracts shoppers from all over the region.
Bounce into Spring – Red River Valley Fair
Over a dozen inflatable obstacle courses and slides on the grounds of Red River Valley Fair welcome kids and families to Bounce into Spring! It’s been a few years since the organization shifted focus to off-season events, but according to Elizabeth Birkemeyer, the impact in the community has been noticeable.
Yesteryear Village – South Florida Fair
Tucked inside the fairgrounds of South Florida Fair is a village known as Yesteryear open year round. There visitors take a glimpse into life in South Florida during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the village that consists of more than 30 historic buildings, including a schoolhouse, a general store, a church, and a blacksmith shop.
Kids Fall Festival – Anoka County Fairgrounds
Anoka County Fair, whose annual fair is held in July, opened their grounds the weekend before Halloween last October to hold a family-friendly fall festival for children of all ages. Although it was called a festival for kids, with pumpkin painting and a not-so-scary haunted house, there were food trucks and vendors to shop at for the parents.
By charging a reasonable admission fee or selling tickets for activities, food, or drinks, you can generate revenue while still keeping the event affordable and accessible for families. Other revenue-generating opportunities may include selling merchandise, hosting a silent auction or raffle, or offering sponsorship packages for businesses. Whether you’re planning a trade show, concert, sporting event, or festival, fairgrounds offer a wealth of possibilities for creating a memorable and successful event. Plus, with SaffireTix and Spark web management, you can manage everything in a simple, integrated platform.