CLEARFIELD – On Tuesday the Clearfield County Commissioners approved making a $10,000 donation to the 156th Clearfield County Fair from its general fund budget. The fair will be held Aug. 31-Aug. 6.
“It’s a very important community event,” said Commissioner Mark B. McCracken. “The vendors and the small businessmen set up over there for the week.
“And, there are a lot of variables for them to have a good week. The weather has to be good – not to hot but nice days, the concerts have to bring in the crowds, etc. There are so many variables.”
McCracken said as you look across Pennsylvania, the county fairs are the “signature event,” especially for rural counties.
“This is one [Clearfield County] the fair board does a great job of putting together every year,” he added. “We are just thrilled to help out now on an annual basis to make it a success.”
Dave Franson of the Fair & Park Board thanked the commissioners for their donation. He said, “In our opinion, this is the No. 1 tourist attraction in Clearfield County.”
About five years ago, he said a Penn State study estimated the impact on the economy in the county for fair week was $1.5 million. “That was five years ago,” he said, “so it’s probably a little more now.”
According to Franson, the Clearfield fair impacts local agriculture, farms, local business people, etc. He pointed out that, “When you look at our ticket sales, it’s very rare you see a Clearfield zip code.
“You see St. Marys, Elk County, and out of state, Virginia and Ohio. People are coming in here for a family or class reunion, staying with parents or at our local hotels. There’s a lot of impact the fair brings, and we thank you for the support.”
Commissioner John A. Sobel, chair, concurred, saying that the county fair is the “stimulus” for a lot of visitors to come to the area that week.
Holly Komonczi, director of recreation and tourism, was present at the commissioners’ meeting. Visit Clearfield County, she said, offered fair week concert packages, which generated hotel stays for the county.