Welcome to another edition of issues 2010 I Steve Macintosh hard gassed his Danny -- general manager of the Kansas state fair to torture good morning Steve that time of the year. It is it is upon us to talk to you one time here this is it a -- well that we don't have to just to a once a year but this is the time a year that makes the most and explosives is it time utility Kansas look forward to. The opening of the state fair and Hutchinson and a one of the dates this year is -- we're gonna kick got a little under two weeks from now on September 10 September 10 through nineteen. President took it and 89 to ten -- deal ten day deal just like always that's right and you know I've got so many memories gone back to -- on the state fair. But there -- a lot of people who -- that.
Now there are you and that's one of the great things about the fair you know this is gonna be our our nine the eighth state fair so we're coming up on a milestone here in a couple years but. One of -- one of the great things about spears the people come to the fair and say you know this is where I met my spouse services were I had my. My first Stater stole my first kiss on the old mill also angered a lot of that history a lot of neat stories that come from a we always like to talk about numbers at least I do. And I don't know what they showed last year what was attendance for last year's attendance last year was just a tick over 350000. Which was something we were just really tickled west -- it was our highest attendance since the year 2000. So. Highest in almost ten years. We were concerned going in the last year and -- we share some of that this year just with the general economy. What are people gonna have available to spend on. On entertainment discretionary spending like that but we saw last year that. You nor objective for our goal of trying to be something that's that's family friendly and affordable. -- well I think we're meeting that so. People really came out sported I was gonna administration was how does that compare in recent years you did. Somewhere in there in the last few -- down years and correct read you know we had -- supplement your -- that 2008. We had rain on eight out of ten days. So. We were dealt about a about a hand as we could have been misused that year. So we can avoid that type of of influence week we may do okay that. That's a reason I've got. Ahead here like you do because we worry about the weather and there's nothing we can do about it but we worry about it.
Virtual -- to Disney story. I don't think so I heard this won't take long apparently there of their planners they're they're dreamers get together in a big rumor they plan -- put the sticky notes. With problems on the wall. It is a salt they would take them down and over the years it took a ball now there's only on the left up there. What to -- now. Now had to do with the weather so let me get ever solve that one completely. Whether courses always a possible factor but one of the factors can impact.
Attendance swelled you know I've mentioned briefly the economy. But that could have an impact and influence one way or the other sometimes when it is a down economy. It can help a fairer event like ours because people are taking the big trips to Disney or doing other places like that so they're saying a little closer to home. Doing a vacation tourist vacation. So you know you take the economy then obviously mother nature are probably the two biggest factors that we can have. There's always outside. Forces that can affect the fair like in 2001. September 11 oh boy took place during the fair you know but on the whole scheme of things we came out of -- much better shape than a lot of folks so. You can't worry about that but. You know we try to control and into -- good job with what we can control. And that's how we try to evaluate the -- how to do things go that we could control. Then don't spend as much time worrying about the things we can't control.
Do you ever do or has your agency of it and and marketing studies on how much. A family will spend at the fair -- we do that we do some per capita numbers each year to see what people are spending on the carnival and in on -- on food. Grandstand entertainment and all those type of things to so we can get an idea of where that trends ball -- killed a family for what you think gosh do I I don't know that -- it does that included the -- to -- there is now showing up and notice what they spend when -- on the fairgrounds. I mean you know we know from looking at in our entry numbers and things like that there were touching every county in the state so there's people driving good distances to get to the fair. Would have loved to see the gas prices tests kind of sliding down the way they have been. Without admission prices closed what's -- this year admission note saying the sort of spend the last year. Eight dollars for an adult at the gate five dollars in advance of the fare so you can buy those up through the day before the -- for five dollars. Either from a sort of don't store. -- senior. It's six dollars at the -- for an advance from for a time out Howell held at VW senior. Sixty. Eagle so. I wanna ask if you're there yet I want to show on the spotlight that you've got -- look at this one element. I thought I think it's a -- you're saving two dollars that's right this and then a child ages six to twelve. Is four dollars at the -- three in advance in five and under are free. Really so my twin granddaughters were four. Which is a rudimentary view program ought in the twin granddaughters could come for four box if you buy -- early though I don't know where you can go. Either to entertain three people for four bucks. -- to I don't either that's a good question. Where -- Europe. Where either you visitors comfort. You know the vast majority obviously are are from the state of Kansas there's a few that come from out of state. But not very many. Probably about 45 to 50% of those that do come are coming from Reno and Sedgwick counties so the options and which -- area. And then it just. Mushrooms out from there. Then -- like I mentioned we touched every county we get exhibits and in attendance from every county in the state the further you get away from Hutchinson. You see -- falling off. Proportionately I presume this is public information but what does it cost affair. Well or is it doesn't notice it is your state agency so -- there are no secrets. Our annual budget is about four and a half million dollars. That includes the state fair and the non -- activities everything and it is fair everything that happens at the fairgrounds so there's not just. A snapshot that says this is what those ten days are. But we can tell your from a revenue standpoint. 90%. Of our annual budgets generated. At state fair those ten days in September so. We've got everything pretty concentrated right there were were growing that non -- business. In the previous twelve months we had just under 400 events take place on the fairgrounds. Other than the fire while that's something that a lot of people don't realize and know that's taking place but. Those contributed about a half a million dollars to. Two hour bottom line which is very very important we'd love to keep growing that. So the one we have affair like 08 and we have so much rain. It doesn't look quite so bad. When you're affecting that 90% -- finish in the black -- we we it is we budget victory over at the end of every fiscal year that we need to get a started. The next year. We're successfully doing that. On a consistent basis so that not a and it different frankly for half million dollars doesn't sound. For what you're doing at their doesn't Celek a lot of money to me meant yeah I mean were worked pretty pretty frugal with it because even the worst state agency that money's not coming from the state. It's coming from us generating it. So that's the only way we get my were like any other business if we wanna spend that we've got to figure out a way to generated ourselves. -- because we're not getting state general fund dollars to support the operation of the fair. Active the charges for the big vendors taped it to be there being held the line on that. We went up this year for this conference for the 2010 fair but we hadn't addressed that in about three years. So it was time. And it was really the timing ended up being great because with a strong attendance last year vendors had great years. And they were pretty accepting of that and they recognized it'd been a while so they. They knew something was coming. Tell me about it just talk about the vendors for just a little bit and their importance to the she'll know. It's it's always fun to walk through those buildings Jews and original the you don't see if you can find yardstick that's right and -- I -- outlook for one to bring over to you today and I couldn't find when I know we've got. Some Larry yes I did do this show for five or six years and I still have your I don't know I I don't need once it well. Yeah well I'm bound and determined because you you must -- one can you bring it up every year. And stuff and Casey did it but that's our I don't know that the talk about the vendor -- are horror over -- out of that for a half million. They're generating. Anywhere from forty to 50%. Of that figure. Maybe not that -- you know probably a quarter to a third of it. And that's because you know we've got roughly 800 of them that occupy about 11100 locations. Both what we called. Non food you know which are the ones that are so on the widgets in the -- seen on TV or the political boos from the the colleges anything other than food and beverage. And they're paying a flat fee to be there. And then the the food and beverage vendors of which -- about a hundred. Our percentage partner with us. And so again it's important to us when attendance is good people are eating and drinking the vendors are making more money. And once -- winner yeah yeah exactly so when they do better we do better. So it's in our best interest to get as many people there is we can't do you think of vendors it's been there. For ever -- has -- ever on the oldest -- laundry room react we do longevity awards each year -- year we'll do what they do. I'll tell me about it bears it -- on the ten year anniversary of someone's long Germany. We give them a little break on their ranch. -- handed it to designate that. The oh my gosh it's drawn it's it's. The women's temperance union in the grandstand. Has been there as long as the fair. So this is our 98 -- so women's. Temperature so that tells you they -- they're our nation was the first one they came out their right their by the very far. It down in the grandstand. -- and then you've got people like the pronto -- vendor that's been their for fifty plus years and a lot of those. Church members this out I mean there Guadalupe today. The other squad there's a lot there's not a lot of turnover reached year or so we've got quite a few folks that have been are for for decades we don't -- Kansas people are for -- keep doing it exactly exactly and why change it if it's not broke in the vendors tell us. That kansas' what they call selling fire Kansas cans and come there to shop they come there to buy a mile and supported. The -- is of course a lot of hard work. And and he can't do by yourself next. You delegate everything I understand tell us about you or employees and volunteers. We. We got a full time staff of 24. Half of that administration half of its maintenance. Because with the you know not only the fair to all the non -- events or setting up and tearing down for a weekend and week out basis. Plus. During the fair itself were hiring about 550 people. To help us put on the fair that doesn't include the people with the vendors higher that the carnival hires and into your talking. For those ten days it's employing several thousand people it's a small city yeah absolutely that's you know it Hutchinson has of roughly 40000 people. And on a Saturday or Sunday it's very very likely we're gonna exceed that just on the 280 acres of the fare cards. You're listening to issues 2010 on the -- radio stations that are against these weakest any stat line general manager. Of the Kansas state fair Brandon Denny. -- you'll on the food front this year well there is something new and -- it's getting some buzz and I know you're going to be excited about it. Tried something. No actually not actually well I guess part of it would be. You start with a Krispy Kreme -- which is probably the fried part. Slice it in half horizontally. And then you build a cheeseburger between. The halves of the don't. Really silly it's the axis of -- it's the bond. Holy mackerel this has been dull out in the -- site -- this you know I'm gonna try and I can't -- what do you call it the Chris beaver crispy cream cheese -- Oh there's a Minor League Baseball team in Illinois and I think that's kinda worry it had its birth place. Several years ago but it's starting to make a fair circuit and we got somebody this year that's gonna do it and people who have tried it say it's it's Korea so that I don't know will say you know last year we had a the typical pop which was the popsicle made at a pickle juice and I tried that not sure I'm gonna be in line to get one this year. But it was an uninteresting experienced. But I tried to Chris speaker amber Krispy Kreme -- A big part of the fair every year -- of course is the grandstands shows. Want to talk a little bit about this year's lineup you bet. You know that's something no matter where we go to talk people always -- and you know who's coming of the fair has come of the fair and interestingly you you were talking some statistics earlier. On average only about ten to 12% or attendees go to or grandstanding that. So it's it's a very high profile thing very important but not a group you know we'd love to get more people there. We've got a great amount of variety this year. Some classic rock with foreigner. Some great country acts with Rodney Atkins and Chris Young. Blake Shelton and James Otto couple motor sporting events of that truck and tractor -- demolition derby. The Oak Ridge Boys are making their tenth appearance at the fair on Tuesday night. Then a couple of things that are just really been great force we're excited about. Mercy me contemporary Christian act on the second Saturday selling very well. And on the final Sunday. A young lady by the name of Selena Gomez that's our best selling -- so Far East. Got a TV show on the Disney Channel she's gotten a movie she's got an album out. Tony minutes shield that is not currently is no it's the Wizards of Waverly Place all. Yeah my grandkids watch says the exact one -- I -- grandpa should bring him to the C Selena Gomez that the fair I think going to be a great no. Great to that you think it's good for little kids. Oh absolutely have to be absolutely. What's Terry feeder Terry's face like he's got puppets the an amazing story there Terry. -- is a ventriloquist impressionist comedian. And he won America's Got Talent in 2007. And after he won that he was signed by the mirage hotel and casino in Las Vegas. To a five year deal that I've heard worth about a hundred million. Miles so. Turn that into some yeah Brady pretty via but his show is just absolutely amazing I've had the opportunity to see what we were. You know exploring him for the fair. He's tied down in Vegas virtually every week he decided he was gonna take one week off and -- them to be the week that are fair runs. And do six shows outside a Las Vegas this year. -- and we were able to nab one of those so well. Unless you go to Vegas this is really your only two answered to see Terry straighter and what uses puppets is it is funny isn't it it's it's yet all the above it. The guy Andy in -- comedian that with the ventriloquism. But then also you know it's hard enough for anybody to. To use. A dummy and and speak. Without you know move in your mouth -- that's -- morning show partner deliberate there you go hit. This guy this guy will sing songs. And sound exactly like the artists who -- all of without. Moving his lips a bit I mean just if you just need to sample it go to YouTube and search on his name it's it FA TOR in the show as a Monday's thirteen to September right. Right -- issue quick question about it version demolition derby comp and you've got outlawed truck and tractor pulled now. What is it houses what does outlaw trucks how's it different from a regular across the in this case it's the organization that puts on its outlaw truck and tractor pull association. These are not your standard farm equipment these have been modified just a bit. To participate in this notes a like a lot of loud. Let out a violent stuff going on there and speaking of loud and violent any political forums -- debates here. Of course it's like an election year you know what we've seen so far it's pretty idea pretty rough out there well you. Yeah there's going to be a gubernatorial debate on the opening Saturday at the -- 11 o'clock right now I'm degrade so and that's the only you know scheduled political. Forums or debates. Obviously a lot of the candidates or in if not the candidate the political parties have exhibit -- at the fair sort of army getting the message that's an excellent candidates smaller theater entity underwater right. But I usually formal might speeches. People don't watch it you know that seats about 2000 people who ran and for this debate I would venture to say it's gonna be standing room only -- that's gonna it's gonna fill up in a hurry. Tell me Denny about the livestock shows. Who displays these animals -- in what can they win. You know that's. When you look back to the history of not just Kansas state fair but any fair. They started because gives you and I were at the coffee shop talking about who's got the best sweeter who's got the best cal. So the -- was held to determine you know who's got the best of the best. And livestock shows are so important since these are people that come from this is were a lot of power up or out of state attendants will come from as well people traveling from. From other states bringing there. Their livestock -- it in you know we're not just talking big livestock we've got people bring in rabbits and pigeons and poultry from. From all know the rapid distance rabbits or payers are kind of interest and yeah have they are crazy about to pigeons that. You know go and ultra boring though Angela. You'll enjoy the peace and quiet of the -- have -- been in the effort on. But -- it is just giant yes yes and you know the they can win prizes of varying amounts you know we're gonna crown that the champion. Champion bowl and champion female in the open division and -- each take home thousand dollars well there's a youth show the first weekend the Graham drive. Bill crowned champions and be sheep and swine. The -- champion -- will take home 101000 dollars. Or the other two champions you know. Please mr. children don't have any animals show little flight one well maybe. You might wanna think about it though and cancel it out because. A lot of times they might be spending just as much as what their winning faster to get to that point so well. Wilbon discuss the more important things about the butter sculptures demand that this year absolutely it's it's in the process as we -- getting jealous what it is no I can't that would kind of ruined the the surprise -- the drama of going to try to Kansas building to see it seems like my favorite of correct me if I'm wrong we we talk -- every year was there ever as I can Mimi Eisenhower culture. I believe there was that I believe it's like sitting where this what I was a kid I saw that they delivered it like it's sealed an amendment yeah hippie predates my time at the fair but I think I've heard that there was one and had to do with an anniversary. A line of Mamie Eisenhower and butter just. -- a gesture. Let's talk a little bit about the infrastructure. The buildings and so forth how old -- were in good shape you know we've been.
Very blessed that in 2001 the state legislature gave the bonding authority for us to do about 29 million dollars worth of improvements. With the state paying back most of that. We're paying back a portion from our proceeds and in the city of touch in Reno county are both contributing to that as well but we've been able to touch. Virtually every facility in some fashion with upgrades and one of the really neat things is. With this hot spell we went through a few weeks ago thinking that if something like that happened during the fair we've now got so many air conditioned buildings. That people could still come with a fair and have an escape from the heat and be able to cool off but the climate controls really been many great benefit and you know building wise we haven't done a lot the last couple years first major improvements just because the funding isn't there. And that's part of the state typically does help us out because they on the property they on the facilities but. Overall I'm very good shape panic if people haven't been for a few years are gonna be real impressed with what they say tell us about some of the other events at the fairgrounds and -- the monitor events. You know I mention that we had close to 400 non fairy dance kid -- didn't do well to tell us about some of the bigger you know. The once that happened most frequently or are actually smaller private events what receptions family reunions. The biggest trouble in terms of people is the annual mennonite -- sale in April. Gets 20/20 5000 people to grounds over about a 24 hour period. That's great fundraising auction we have such national auto races in July. This past year the same weekend as those we have Hutchinson rod run big car show. And so there's you know virtually any thing you'd want monthly flea markets. Porsche shows that's probably one of our busiest areas as well as the horse area so. Anything you can think of probably has or could happen at the fairgrounds RV rallies you name it being exciting on the planning table. You know word like who were word gonna have a 98 fare so we're -- started the planning of what we wanna do to celebrate the hundredth so this is the 93 this is the 98 -- And you know we're gonna probably embark on a year long celebration because the hundred -- is gonna happen one year and then the hundredth anniversary of the -- gonna happen the next year. So into it and started. Stern and speak it well then here -- or something and earned it it used to jump around a little bit okay and then in 1913. There was some legislation introduced that made the fair and Hutchinson the official Kansas state fair so that's what we use the beginning. There was one to continue into peak of for many years beyond that. But you know -- laid claim to having the official state fair and so that's kind of where we are all right so the big item this year is the crispy cream cheese burger yes. Yes well. Geo caching is another big thing this year bet that that's kind of but treasure hunt scavenger hunt that you do using GPS coordinates or OK we're doing some of that. We've got a great sentimental journey can't competition or not so.
Newlywed Game so this again because they'll be up your Alley. I'm married forty years we call upon you and probably could yes. And so. But you're not gonna tell me what the butter sculpture naw I'm not -- I just can't let that -- save some thunder there that's right. -- Anthony -- time again -- thank you for Canada and see us. To see is again this year as we kick off. The Kansas state fair and just coming up does September 10 through is a nineteenth if people wanna find out more about it what's the website Kansas state fair dot com that's artists remember it. -- fair got trouble and we're all one word to spell it out and right there and if you find it click the link any -- and we'll get to the info at Kansas state fair and Hutchinson September 10 through the nineteenth our guest Denny -- line. General manager of the state fair and that's all for this edition of issues 2010. We'll be back next week thank you for listening I'm Steve Macintosh.
