DIVISION OF FAIRS 

 Stephen F. Quinn, Director 



The fairs as a whole, enjoyed a rather large increase in paid attendance, 

 due mainly to the gasoline crisis of the summer of 1979, It was convenient ^i 



for many residents to take in the local fairs rather than traveling great 

 distances for entertainment. However, there was a sharp decline in the I 



number of exhibits and exhibitors. Because there wasn't any considerable 

 increase in prizes, they reduced the number of their entries and shows r 



due to the high cost of traveling. 



2,417,401 people paid admissions to one of the various agricultural 

 fairs conducted within the State. This figure is up 296,209 from last year. 

 $262,421 was expended for prizes by the State and $115,358 was added by the 

 fairs for the promotion of agriculture. 69,205 exhibits were displayed, 

 32,458 of which were youth, these figures are down 10,605 and 2,550 

 respectively from 1978. 



The Massachusetts Building was again very successful with the theme 

 "Massachusetts Grown and Fresher", incorporated into every commodity 

 group presentation. This year the Marine Fisheries joined with us in the 

 building and an excellent display of utilizing under developed species of 

 fish was conducted. 



The Division hired 12 fair inspectors, on a part time basis, to aid 

 the Director in overseeing the programs. Their value is shown in the reports 

 received on each fair, assuring that the State is in fact getting the most 

 out of prizes awarded and rehabilitation monies allotted. 



REHABILITATION PROGRAM 



The rehabilitation committee met and approved allotment of $153,658 

 to 51 fairs, to help defray the cost of improvements of their facilities 

 in three categories: a) public health; b) animal health; c) displays. 

 The committee also reviewed the guidelines set for the distribution of the 

 monies and made proper changes so as to protect the State from any chance 

 of misused funds. 



Many of the fairs where monies were allotted were on the brink of 

 disaster. This account is a mainstay, and without it, many fairs would 

 have to cease their operation. 



FINANCIAL REPORT — DIVISION OF FAIRS 



The total appropriated budget for the fiscal year was $615,600 . Of 

 this total, $340,600 were appropriated for the fair prize awards, fair 

 inspections, promotional programs and administrative costs; $75,000 were 

 appropriated for the Fair Rehabilitation Program, and $200,000 for the 

 Thoroughbred and Standardbred Programs. 



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