(WBIR- Jefferson County) The Jefferson County Fair is facing financial troubles with more than $60,000 in debt putting the tradition's future in jeopardy.
The 71-year East Tennessee event may not be able to continue unless the fair board is able to raise the money to cover the money that needs to be paid off, Ricky Taylor, president of the Jefferson County Fair, said.
"Right now, we just hope and pray that maybe some businesses, sponsors will come up, and we can get more sponsors than normal," Taylor said.
Sharon Ward, treasurer of the Jefferson County Fair, said the fair began the year about $33,000 in debt, and then the fairgrounds needed a $22,000 electrical overhaul to fix some dangerous areas, which was a cost the fair board was not expecting.
"We had some bad weather," Ward said. "We had some things that we thought would be good draws that weren't, and you know, it hurts whenever you don't get the people in that you're expecting."
Ward said about 24,500 people came through the gates this August for a total of $147,192 in gate receipts, but that was 1,473 people fewer than 2013.
She said the fair charges $12 per ticket, but they only keep $6 of that. James Gang Amusements, which provides the carnival rides, receives the other $6.
Taylor said the fair has not raised ticket prices since 2007, but they may be forced to raise the price by a dollar in 2015 to keep up with rising costs.
"We want to try to keep it as affordable as we can, especially with parents that have a lot of kids and because everything costs so much," Taylor said. "But at the same time, a lot of things for us have doubled."
About twenty-two people volunteer with the fair, Ward said, and none of them receive payment for their year-round duties.
"We've got so much invested in it," Taylor said. "I've been here 32 years and lot of people have been here as long as I have, and I just don't want to see something that's of value to the county to go down."
Taylor said the fair board is organizing fundraisers to help raise more money. He said they held one last weekend that raised about $900.
"As of right now, we are hoping for the best," Taylor said. "We're looking for more sponsors and more people to help volunteer and looking for business sponsors out there to help to raise money and help get things going where we can have a 2015 fair."
Taylor said people can contribute by contacting the fair board at tnjeffersonfair@gmail.com or by mail at P.O. Box 208, Jefferson City, Tennessee 37760.
