Bangor State Fair profit $40,439 Attendance down, spending up at event

BANGOR – Bass Park officials puzzled Tuesday over the final numbers for this summer’s Bangor State Fair, which had its ups and downs in terms of attendance and revenues.

“We’re a little stumped,” said Bass Park Director Mike Dyer, who presented the final numbers to the council’s Business and Economic Development Committee Tuesday night. “It was just a strange year.”

While fewer people – 60,100 compared to 63,600 last year – came through the fair gates this year, they spent 13 percent more – $402,900 compared to $355,600 last year – on rides, Dyer said, noting only a minor increase in ride prices this year.

With fewer fairgoers, officials saw a drop in gate admissions, down 11 percent from last year to $240,690.

In total, the 10-day fair netted $40,439 in profit compared to last year’s $58,594, according to the newly released report.

Dyer said that, despite the lower-than-expected numbers, fair officials received a “very pleasant surprise” with a $15,000 profit from the concert by country singer Brad Paisley.

In 2002, fair officials spent $91,630 on entertainment compared to $81,000 last year. The fair spent $31,750 on advertising and promotion this year compared to $53,500 in 2001, the report states.

Although it is early, Dyer said he is already looking to book major acts for the 2003 fair.

Among the acts he is considering is another “Mad Science” production similar to the 2001 “Taking the World by Storm” exhibit. The new show is called “Funky Farmworks,” which teaches children about the science and technology of agriculture.