It's not just Nevada's struggling economy that's hurt the State Fair. Not just its declining attendance and revenues. Not even the odd August downpours and cold temperatures on what should have been last year's busiest days. It's all of those factors combined, says Executive Director Rich Crombie, that have thrown the Fair's future into question. He's planning a news conference this afternoon to tell the public how far in debt the Fair is - and ask for help keeping it going.
Crombie: "It's a big mountain to climb, and we want the public to know what's going on with it, and seek ideas and perhaps donations, business advice, whatever it is to how do we keep our State Fair afloat and thriving in the years to come."
Crombie says a rebranding effort focusing on Nevada's Wild West heritage that began last year is making progress - but needs more time to take hold before it can pay off in attendance and revenues.
