Valley People

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY FAIR, based in Boonville, is struggling. State subsidies have been slashed, and the Fair, much anticipated every Fall by thousands of people and central to life in Mendocino County for three-quarters of a century, is trying to bring in substitute revenues. We were kicking around ideas last week, and here’s what we came up with: The Fair’s website needs an overhaul with a view to its becoming more of a regularly updated outreach device; the Fair could use a publicist, although the position would have to be funded somehow, perhaps on the grant model of a certain percentage of the business raised by the publicist went to him; cheaper premium books (the higher they go the less affordable they become, thus defeating their purpose); outreach to the greater Bay Area’s infinite number of clubs, family associations, recreational groups etc. who are likely to be interested in commodious, pleasant, weekend facilities. We’re aware that the Fair staff is already running at full throttle and all this stuff would need a person to do it, but given that Boonville is only a couple hours drive north (and west) of large population centers and offers, in the Boonville Fairgrounds, one of the few secure and happy venues capable of accommodating thousands of people well, heck, we should be able to pack ‘em in and make up for the loss in state funds. (If the Visit Mendocino people would put down their wineglasses for a little while, they might pay a little attention to marketing the County Fair, too. It brings in more people than the Crab and Mushroom festivals combined.)