After two years of profits, the operator of the Abbotsford Agrifair is feeling confident going into the 2018 event.
Agrifair had posted a $51,000 deficit in 2015, with losses ranging from $7,000 to $25,000 in previous years, but fair manager Melanie Kish said the annual fair has now posted two straight years of profits.
Related: Contract not renewed for Abbotsford Agrifair general manager
“Going into this year with the new attractions – the RCMP, the Dolly and Spanky Show, the dog show, the logger competition – we’re looking forward to another positive (money) flow,” Kish said. “We’ve changed to a three-day fair from a four-day, so not being open on the holiday Monday reduced expenses. And without having the rodeo, which was a $90,000 program, that also reduced expenses.”
Related: Abbotsford Agrifair posts $38,000 profit
The fair had posted a $17,000 profit in 2016, and last year marked a second consecutive profitable year, at $38,000 in the black.
“We’ve refocused on branding ourselves as a family event and the community seems to be liking it,” Kish said.
In particular, she noted the creation of a free family space plays a role in bringing in family attendance, especially when it provides families some relief from extreme heat as in years past, along with free entertainment.
Related: Rodeo cancelled at this year’s Abbotsford Agrifair to save money
Kish said there is room to bring the rodeo back, but it would take a big surge in revenue for that event, which typically only brought about $30,000 in advertising.
“If someone writes me a cheque for $90,000, I am happy to work on bringing the rodeo back. But I am not putting the fair in the red for one event.”
This year’s Agrifair runs from Friday to Sunday, Aug. 3-5.