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Estevan Fair reduced to two days

For the first time in many years, the Estevan Fair will not be a three-day event. The Estevan Exhibition Association (EEA) has announced that the fair will be held on June 19 and 20 this year.

For the first time in many years, the Estevan Fair will not be a three-day event.

The Estevan Exhibition Association (EEA) has announced that the fair will be held on June 19 and 20 this year. President Byron Stepp said the association was offered only two days by West Coast Amusements, who supplies the midway.

“They just feel very strongly that a two-day fair will be better,” said Stepp. “They don’t think there’s the volume per day to warrant three days.”

After negotiating with West Coast Amusements, Stepp said the EEA would try the two-day fair for a year or two, but there’s also a clause in the contract that if the two-day midway doesn’t work out, and if it doesn’t have the same results for both Estevan and West Coast Amusements as a three-day fair, then the fair would return to three days.

“If we get bad weather, I’m quite concerned about it,” said Stepp. “If we get good weather (we should be fine).”

Other communities that have gone from three-day fairs to a two-day fair have had success, he said.

There have also been comments about having the gates open for 10 hours instead of the current seven hours, but Stepp said that wouldn’t work, because it wouldn’t be fair to students and the schools in town. If the fair opens at noon, then it would conflict with school schedules. If it stays open until at least midnight, then it would be too late for kids to attend.

Most years the fair has had good weather for two days and bad weather for one. Last year’s fair had excellent conditions for all three days, and attracted about 8,700 people.

But Stepp said that West Coast Amusement’s attitude is that if 3,000 people can attend each night for a three-night fair, then it might attract 4,000 people a night for two nights, and be more profitable.

Stepp said there aren’t many amusement park ride providers remaining in Western Canada. West Coast Amusements has generally been the one that communities turn to.

He was informed of another potential option on Friday that the EEA will consider.

The EEA had looked at having a four-day fair, in the past, and trying to get a different date so that the fair doesn’t conflict with final exams in the schools.

“I am always negotiating … trying to get more rides, trying to get new rides, trying to get more people, and constantly trying to maximize that fundraiser,” said Stepp.

The fair represents an important revenue generator for the exhibition association.

At one time, the fair was held at the same time as the Estevan Rodeo, and it attracted larger crowds.

Stepp said he still has inquiries “constantly” from those who want to see the fair and the rodeo together.

But it requires about triple the volunteers to have the event at the same time. It’s also difficult to get the schedules for a midway provider and the rodeo to line up.

And there are the questions about the rides.

“I try to change it up as much I can, but the contract allows us for ‘x’ number of rides, and that’s what it is. Unless we’re going to put through 8,000 or 10,000 people (a night), I can’t get two midways to join in Estevan.”

Stepp expects the midway will be entertaining once again this year, with good rides and other attractions. The domestics show, which features the talents of local residents, will happen both days at the exhibition association’s newly-renovated hall.

The Calamity Cowgirls will perform on June 19, weather permitting, and artist Alison Norlen will be on site both days, working on an exhibit in conjunction with the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum’s 40th anniversary.

Eight food booths have already been booked.

The beer garden was traditionally held in the Civic Auditorium, but it has been relocated to the Wylie-Mitchell building now that the Civic has been torn down.