SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Sioux Empire Fair's net revenue this year was over $74,000, that's $30,000 dollars less than a year ago.
Fair Manager Scott Wick says fair attendance was 8% less than a year ago. Wick says attendance was strong the first five days but tapered off the next five.
Wick told the Minnehaha County Commission this morning that total fair revenue was $1.15 million and total expenses were $1.05 million. He says total revenue was $161,000 less than 2015. He also says expense were $108,000 dollars less than last year.
Wick says the fair also faced some stiff entertainment competition from the Doobie Brothers and Journey playing at the PREMIER Center and Badland's monster trucks during the week.
He also says hot, humid weather later in the week also contributed to a drop in attendance.
Wick says given competition from other venues for entertainment dollars, the fair board will be more aggresive in drawing top entertainment and he says the fair's business model will be tweaked.
