In-depth coverage
The Springfield News-Sun will provide unmatched coverage of the Champaign County Fair, including stories about its most popular events, and its impact on the local economy.
How To Go
What: 173rd Champaign County Fair
Where: Champaign County Fairgrounds, 384 Park Ave., Urbana
When: Today through Friday, Aug. 8. Gates open at 7 a.m. today.
Cost: General admission is $7 at the gate for everyone 2 and older. The fee includes free parking and all rides.
For more information: Residents are asked to call the Champaign County Fair office at 937-653-2640
When the 173rd Champaign County Fair kicks off today, it will draw students, residents and businesses from around the region.
Fair officials are hoping visitors notice recent improvements at the Champaign County Fairgrounds, including a new $175,000 restroom that was built this year near the horse arena. And area manufacturers are hoping a new booth will highlight their products and encourage local students to take a closer look at manufacturing jobs after graduation.
Local officials have not studied the economic impact the fair has in Champaign County, said Marcia Bailey, economic development coordinator for Urbana. Some businesses in the county shut down during fair week because so much focus is centered on the fairgrounds, she said.
Agriculture plays an important role in the region’s economy, and the fair is one of the biggest events the county hosts each year.
“For the downtown merchants, sometimes this is their slower time because the the majority of people go to the fair,” Bailey said.
Other retailers, particularly companies that serve agricultural clients, likely see a boost, she said.
Heritage Co-Op in Urbana gets business from fair participants year-round, selling supplies to 4H and FFA members and providing numerous other services to area farmers, said Allen Robison, feed mill manager at the facility. However, the company also sponsors events at the fair and helps cover the cost to purchase animals during the livestock shows.
The fair is one of the largest the company participates in, he said.
“We try to give back as much as we can,” Robison said.
The fair is one of the most affordable family events in the area, said Melvin Cook, president of the Champaign County Fair Board. General admission is only $7 per person for residents older than 2, but that fee includes parking and free rides all day. On Tuesday, veterans and senior citizens are allowed free admission throughout the day, including a free meal for seniors at 11 a.m. Wednesday is Kids Day.
“We try to keep our gate prices down here so families can afford to come,” Cook said.
This year, the fair board built a roughly $175,000 restroom near the horse arena, and spent another $25,000 renovating an existing restroom near the rabbit barn. The fair board tries to improve the facilities every year to make sure the facilities are in the best shape possible for visitors. In the past, guests who attended events in that area had to travel across most of the fairgrounds to use those facilities.
“It was much needed because everyone had to go so far,” Cook said.
Local manufacturers are also hoping to take advantage of the big crowds at the fair this year. A group of eight local companies is working with students from Urbana City Schools to set up a new booth in the merchants building.
Students will run half of the booth and offer brochures highlighting local companies and offer trivia and other events to raise awareness about the kinds of companies and jobs that exist in Champaign County, Bailey said. The other half of the booth will feature a different manufacturer each day who will talk to residents about the kinds of jobs available and the training needed.
Several area manufacturing companies are adding jobs, but sometimes struggle to find qualified workers to fill those positions, Bailey said. In addition, many current workers are nearing retirement age, meaning new workers must be recruited to fill those positions.
The large crowds the fair draws each year will allow area companies to highlight their products and available jobs.
“I’m overwhelmed with what these students are doing and how these manufacturers are responding,” Bailey said.
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