San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Fair raises $11K for students, schools
The totals are in, and Ramona Chamber of Commerce officials say the 50th Ramona Country Fair was a big success.
“Around $11,000 was raised; $5,000 will be used to fund school grants, and the remaining $6,000 will be used for educational scholarships,” said Stephanie Macdonald, chair of the July 30-Aug. 1 event.
The money raised stays in Ramona to help kids and schools, she said. And with no fair in 2020 because of COVID-19, the resources provided by this year’s fair were much needed, she said.
This year’s fair saw increased attendance and food and ticket sales.
“Total attendance for the fair is always hard to gauge, as there are no individual ticket sales,” Macdonald said.
Admission was free, although a $10 parking donation was requested. And any given vehicle could hold from one to a dozen individuals, she said.
“However, all three nights of the fair, the parking lot was filled to capacity or nearly so,” she said. “The numbers showed 20 percent to 25 percent more participation than 2019, our last fair.”
In addition to packed parking lots, many of the food vendors sold out on Friday and Saturday nights and had to shut down early. The Beer Garden also sold out of many items both nights.
Ticket sales for the carnival rides also exceeded expectations. “We asked for the community’s support, and the volunteers and fair guests really responded,” Macdonald said. “We wanted the community to have something fun to do after last year, and everyone that came out seemed to be happy and positive and having a good time, and, for me, that was the goal.
“I feel tremendously grateful and want to thank everyone who helped put this together, especially the countless hours put in by our volunteers; it really warmed my heart and I am looking forward to next year.”