Although attendance was slightly down this year, the Southwest Washington Fair raked in some $100,000 more in revenue than in 2019, the last time the much-celebrated event was held.
The financial success is especially impressive considering the staffing shortages Lewis County faced. But those same shortages mean bad news for Garlic Fest, the next big event normally held at the grounds.
The smelly, garlicky festival is a no-go, county officials announced Monday. Word of the cancellation had already made its rounds on social media.
Staffing levels were already at about 60% of the normal levels for the fair, with staffers stretched thin.
“It’s just not sustainable to push them another week,” said Chief of Internal Services Steve Wohld.
“I don’t know where the workforce is, but we’re not able to reach them,” he added.
Officials made no mention of COVID-19 in their rationale for canceling the festival, which was slated for this weekend. The Southwest Washington Fair received a greenlight by the board of health — comprised of county commissioners — last week despite the recommendation of Lewis County’s health officer.
County officials have already reached out to vendors about the Garlic Fest cancellation, many of whom, according to County Manager Erik Martin, were understanding considering their own struggles to find staff.
“It’s just an impossibility. And we’re really upset about that and sad about that, because Garlic Fest is a tradition here that we all really love,” Martin said.
The sad news, though, was followed by the rosy results of the fair. Attendance came in at 72,724, more than 21,000 of which came on Saturday.
All in all, it’s a few thousand short of 2019, said director Connie Riker. Even so, concessions are expected to bring in $15,000 more than in 2019, with some vendors reporting it as their best sale days of the year.
The carnival is also anticipated to pull in $15,000 more than the last fair.
“So we might’ve had slightly less attendance, but people were willing to spend and enjoy the fair and enjoy the experiences,” Riker said.
The rodeo sold 2,800 tickets, and the demolition derby was watched by approximately 3,000 people over the course of two days, resulting in $35,000 in sales.
“The junior livestock sale did amazing as well,” Wohld said. “They had a lamb go for $24 a pound. I think that’s a little over market.”
Another promising sign is the “glowing” review by a state Department of Agriculture official evaluating the fair, Martin noted. That evaluation is linked to grant opportunities and state funding, and is publicized for comparison to other fairs.
It’s a “pretty good example of the fact that this fair is by the community, for the community,” said County Commissioner Lindsey Pollock, who also serves on the fair advisory committee. “And we made it. It went well. I realize it took quite a pull on our staff, unfortunately. That’s why we’re not able to proceed with Garlic Fest. But the fair went well, so thank you.”
