The final numbers for the 2015 fall fair are in, and the Rock Creek and Boundary Fair Association (RCBFA) is reporting a 12 per cent drop in revenue over last year’s fair.
Fair treasurer Lisa Sims said that $2,335.00 was collected in the Fire Donation Bucket and turned over to the Kettle River Lions Club Fire Relief Fund. They partnered with the RCBFA on building the gatehouse so the RCBFA partnered with them on this cause. This includes $70 that exhibitors won and requested that their winnings be donated to the fire fund.”
Prize money totaling $15,792.50 was paid out to exhibitors and competitors including approximately $1,450 to local 4-H club competitors including beef, sheep, clothing and ranch horse.”
Five local non-profit organizations—including Kettle River Lions Club, Bridesville Community Club, Boundary District Curling Club, Grand Forks Rotary Club and King of Kings Church—grossed $32,400 in sales.
A total of $2,148.75 was made from the 50/50 draws. The RCBFA membership voted to spend this years 50/50 funds on purchasing new lightweight banquet tables to be used by various groups renting the facilities (currently we have very heavy wooden banquet tables that can make movement and set up difficult).
The Boundary Central Secondary School graduating class received $750 in exchange for help during work bees and fair weekend. They also ran the cow plop bingo as a fundraiser.
The West Boundary Elementary School ran the Bingo as a fundraiser.
In 2014 there was a total of 8,610 paid attendees; this year saw that figure drop by more than 12 per cent to 7,543. In terms of revenue, this equates to a decrease in gate revenue of approximately $11,261.41. A direct result of this is a drop in food vendor revenue of 9.6 per cent or $2005.74.
There was also a decline in commercial vendor revenue of 10.4 per cent or $1,364.75 and a drop in camping revenue of 16.3 perc ent or $1,494.57.
Overall, fair weekend saw a drop of 12 per cent or $16,292.22 in revenue. This may not seem significant; however, this represents approximately 16 per cent of the fair’s annual operating budget to manage and maintain the fair grounds and facilities.
This year’s operating budget was $99,800 or, in other words, it costs approximately $273 per day to operate and maintain the grounds and facilities, not including fair weekend.
This drop in revenue may affect the RCBFA’s ability to carry out special projects next year unless additional funds are secured through grants or other fundraising avenues.
