Quick Take
Santa Cruz County Fair officials say attendance at this year’s event increased by 11%.
Attendance at the Santa Cruz County Fair increased by 11% from last year. The growth in admissions follows fair officials’ initiative to lower ticket prices in response to community feedback.
More than 53,000 people were on the county fairgrounds over its five-day run last week, which includes attendees, volunteers and staff, according to a media release.
“We are incredibly grateful for the community’s response to this year’s Santa Cruz County Fair,” said County Fair CEO Dori Rose Inda in the release. “Attendance increased by 11%, and throughout the five days you could feel the energy and enthusiasm across the fairgrounds.”
Following community feedback that the yearly event had become increasingly expensive to attend, Rose Inda previously told Lookout that the fair lowered its admission in hopes of making it more accessible and affordable for the community.
On opening day, more than 10,800 people attended the fair, according to county fair officials. The massive attendance was due in part to admission costs being $2.50 to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary.
County fair officials also added that the Junior Livestock Auction raised $785,323.50, and $12,478 of the funds raised will go toward the Heritage Hog, a youth program offered through the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation.
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