‘Best fair in history’

GJCF hits revenue records in 2018, sets goals for 2019
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     “This was the best fair in our 166-year history! And we’re really proud of that!”

     Those words were spoken by John Harms, Great Jones County Fair manager, as he presented the 2018 fair profit/loss statement and 2019 fair budget to the Jones County Supervisors during the Jan. 8 meeting. Lucas Gobeli accompanied Harms. Gobeli is the new concessions manager of the fair, taking over for Diz Edwards.

     The GJCF came away with a profit of $265,730 after last summer.

     “Our total revenue is the highest we’ve ever seen,” said Harms. “And the line items hit some high-water marks.” Those particular line items include: ticket sales, gate sales, and concessions.

     “All good indicators,” remarked Harms.

     With such a positive profit, almost $70,000 is poised to go toward capital improvement projects this spring, in time for the 2019 GJCF.

     One of those projects includes an 80-foot extension on the storage dormitory, which lies to the west of the livestock show arena.

     “We have more inventory needs,” Harms said.

     He explained the additional space would allow for more efficiency and organization.

     “This would mean a lot less demands on our volunteers,” Harms said of moving inventory in and out during fair week.

     Another project entails erecting a permanent rail fence around the horse arena.

     “That facility is used for many different things other than equestrian,” Harms said. The permanent fence would serve all those needs, as well as use during the fair.

     Above all, he said the fence would provide safe containment of the livestock during shows.

     Another permanent fence is proposed to go up behind the stage, rather than paying to rent a fence structure each year.

     “It just keeps people out of that environment,” Harms said. “It’s for the safety and security of the entertainment.”

     All of these projects are expected to be complete by fair week.

     Harms said there are also some capital equipment investments in the works. With the number of small animal exhibits growing, there could be a space issue inside the Small Animal Barn in terms of showing the animals and keeping them penned up during the fair.

     So, Harms said they might look at investing in additional small animal pens.

     “We’re running out of space in the barn,” he said.

     The idea would be to house the livestock in the barn and exhibit them elsewhere on the grounds.

     “We’re working with 4-H on the details,” Harms said. “We think this can be achieved.”

     Last summer’s concert series of Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Kid Rock all added up to sell-out crowds.

     After the Las Vegas shooting in October 2017 at a Jason Aldean concert, Harms said the GJCF took all measures to make sure everyone would be safe here. Fairgoers were checked as they walked through the gate. There were safety precautions on the track.

     “We wanted to ensure the concertgoers felt good about coming here versus making the news,” said Harms.

     Many of the additional security measures went unnoticed by the average attendee.

     “We felt really good about the plan we put together,” said Harms of working with local law enforcement. “We had a surveillance process to keep a mindful watch on the crowd and do it discretely.”

     In the past, Harms said it was hard to come to the realization of spending $100,000 on a single act for one night. Now, the fair is spending $1 million on a single act. For 2018, the fair paid out $2.7 million in entertainment.

     Harms said it’s “ancillary” expenses such as the gate and concessions that help cover the cost of the entertainment, aside from ticket sales.

     “That’s how we’re able to make it work,” he said.

     And all of that money/profit is then reinvested back into the community and fairgrounds.

     “As a non-profit, that’s where our money needs to go,” said Harms. “To help with our daily operations and to help the youth showcase their year’s worth of work.”

     The GJCF is the largest revenue-producing fair in Iowa, outside of the State Fair.

     “It always amazes me the support and participation that goes on here,” said Harms. “It’s a ripple effect.”

     Ticket sales are going strong looking ahead at 2019 with Hootie and the Blowfish, the return of Tim McGraw and Chris Stapleton. In fact, Stapleton tickets are sold out. Tickets are being sold every week, and Harms expects tickets to go fast as it gets closer to fair time.

 

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