Facebook is the most popular social networking site on the Internet, but the site sometimes labeled as a “time-waster” is about to pay dividends for some lucky fairgoers next week.
Organizers of the Southwest Washington Fair are kicking off a Facebook campaign Tuesday in which those who “like” the event’s page on the site can enter to win prizes, including pairs of tickets to Joe Nichols, Weird Al Yankovic or The Doobie Brothers.
“There are a lot of people that use Facebook, so we’re going to have some fun with our page on the fair,” said Steve Wohld, information technology manager for Lewis County.
Users who visit the Southwest Washington Fair page on Facebook can click the “Like” button, and be updated on items in their news feed on clues on places to go or questions to answer to pick up a prize. The online version of a scavenger hunt attracted enough people last year through Twitter that 100 prizes were handed out, and Wohld says the prizes this year are bigger and better.
“We had a good response last year, and the ‘Tweet the Fair’ campaign we did was widely noticed,” Wohld said. “We transitioned to Facebook this year because the user base is bigger.”
Wohld, who has taken on the special role of running the promotion for the Southwest Washington Fair, also uses his capacity with the county to update the website and provide emergency info.
He wants to use the Facebook promotion for the fair as a way to also let people know the county has capability to relay real-time information through social networking — something that could prove critical in time of a major emergency.
“In the event there is a disaster or major event, we can use Facebook, Twitter and the website to get info out to the public,” Wohld said. “The fair is a good way to make this fun and entertaining.”
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How to Enter the Fair’s Contest
By The Chronicle
Any Facebook user is eligible to win concert tickets or free ride tickets among other prizes given by the organizers of the Southwest Washington Fair.
If you are not yet a follower of the Southwest Washington Fair fan page on Facebook, it’s easy to find. Log in to your Facebook account, and type “Southwest Washington Fair” in the search box on top of the site. The fair is listed as a “local business.” Click on the profile, then click the “Like” button at top.
Wohld says fair organizers will update the site “once or twice a day” with clues and information, so continue to monitor the fair’s Facebook page for relevant clues.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Southwest Washington Fair had 1,021 “fans.”
