The Washington State Fair hosted international visitors this past month when a Korean delegation arrived to tour the fairgrounds and visit with Fair CEO and board of directors. Though most of our communities see the Fair activities and administration as an important part of our local agricultural history and a venue for more than two million visitors a year, international festival and event organizers are extremely interested in the Washington State Fair because it is a privately held entity which is not funded publicly, and instead contributes to the public coffers more than two million dollars in taxes annually.
The Korean delegation included a professor who is also the President of International Festivals and Events, a mayor and a congresswoman. In addition to meeting Fair CEO, Kent Hojem, and Board of Directors, the delegation was able to tour the fairgrounds and meet with Fair management to ask questions about operations. Our Chamber also had an opportunity to speak to the delegation about the Fair's impact on local communities.
As part of our interaction with the delegation we presented gifts to them which included Mt. Rainier Coffee Company products, Old Cannery Fudge and rhubarb pie from Berryland Cafe. The Washington State Fair also provided gifts and hosted a breakfast with scones. They chuckled when told that our Chamber is hoping that scones and rhubarb pie will be served at the 2015 U.S. Open.
Our Chamber appreciates the opportunity the Fair provided to promote our local businesses and communities, and we recognize their unique ability to draw international visitors to our region.
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