One of the most important functions of the WSFA has been to act as the representative of Fairs to the Legislature of Washington State. Your Board has worked tirelessly on an annual campaign to keep Fairs and Fair Funding in the hearts and minds of our Legislators.
Each Fair is encouraged to have an active Legislative Committee or assigned persons to work closely with the WSFA.
Always keep your local legislators up to date on your Fair, both good and bad.
You may also leave a message via telephone at: 1.800.562.6000.
The following statements provided in the WA Fairs Economic Impact Report, completed in 2006, create the foundation for our reasons to continue receiving the full balance of the Fair Fund:
- In 2005 7.8 million people attended events held at fairgrounds throughout Washington State, more than the state population of 6.3 million people (Washington State Office of Financial Management, 2006). By comparison, 4.6 million people visited Seattle Center and approximately 1.2 million attended events at Key Arena in 2005(Beyers, 2006).
- Gross economic impacts from Washington State fairs and other fairground activities were between $350 million and $385 million in 2005.
- Fairs and fairground activities supported between an estimated 5,630 to 5,807 temporary jobs in 2005 with numerous more volunteer opportunities.
- Estimated labor income for all jobs related to the fairs is between $48 million and $51 million in 2005.
- Estimated tax revenues generated by fair and non-fair gross economic activity range between $22.7 million and $25.0 million in 2005.
- Fairs and other fairground activities played a vital role in fund raising for many non-profit groups throughout the state.
- In addition to the economic contribution that fairgrounds provide to the state, they can also provide a space for emergency services (The Daily Herald, 2006).