Boone County Fair hopes for 20,000 attendees this year

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Fair hopes to increase its revenue this year after it saw a nearly $15,000 decrease from 2021 to 2022.

According to tax records, the Boone County Fair made $225,851 last year, down from $241,359 in 2021.

"It probably is due to the entertainment we brought in," Boone County Fair Board Secretary Jessica Kempf said. "So, we spend over $50,00 on the entertainment shows that you see here alone. And we did have to do some updates to the fairgrounds and so those types of expenses get very expensive very quickly. So, we've tried to put on a good show and make sure we have good entertainment and good facilities for people to use."

Last year Kempf said the Fair brought in anywhere from 13,000-15,000 attendees, but they are hoping to increase that this year.

"We are hoping maybe 15-to-20,000 people this year," said Kempf.

Kempf added she believes the fair is great for Columbia's economy as well.

"I think it's great because you get people from either out of county or people just coming to Columbia that live in the outlying areas of this county, so it's a great benefit to everybody," Kempf said.

The Fair's food stands are also hoping to increase their profits this year.

More information regarding the Fair's lineups and the cost of admissions can be found online, and rides and food inspections can be found online as well.

The fair will run every day until Saturday.