Behind the Scenes: How We Selected Entertainment for the 2025 Jefferson County Fair
Planning entertainment for the Jefferson County Fair is always a balancing act. Every year, we hear from fairgoers about what they love, what they’d like to see more of, and how we can make the fair even better. As we put together the 2025 lineup, several key factors guided our decision-making to create an exciting, family-friendly event while remaining financially responsible.
Keeping the Gate Price Consistent
We fully recognize that the costs of food, carnival rides, and other fair experiences continue to rise with inflation. That’s why it was paramount for us to retain our gate ticket price at $12 again this year—ensuring families and fairgoers can enjoy all the fair has to offer without an additional financial burden. By keeping admission costs steady and including all entertainment in the gate price, we continue to provide an affordable and memorable experience for everyone.We have added to the programming of the fair substantially this year, without incurring the need to pass any costs on to fairgoers.There will be no additional ticket prices for any entertainment at the fair this year including all music performances, two nights of Rodeo events, Tractor Pulls, Truck Pull, Kidz Zone performers, Horse Pull, and more.
Strengthening the Music Program Without Breaking the Bank
Music is always a highlight of the fair, and we’ve heard the request for a stronger lineup. However, booking a national act is a major investment—not just for the performer’s fee but also for production, stage setup, lighting, sound, security, and more. A single national headliner can cost upwards of $200,000 per performance, all-inclusive. Historic trends of concert attendance show that, in order to just break even on a national headliner, we would need to price tickets at nearly $65 - 80 a piece, which is above what our community would support.Some of this comes from some of the same inflationary realities because the price of national acts has grown dramatically over the last 5-10 years.That cost would need to be absorbed or passed on to be an effective operation.
Instead, we’ve taken a different approach this year: curating a lineup that brings energy and excitement to the fair experience while staying within a responsible budget and not considering additional costs to be passed on to fairgoers. By selecting regional and tribute bands that are fun and engaging, we’re able to offer live music throughout the event and ensure a lively atmosphere without sacrificing other key fair elements.
Expanding Daytime Entertainment & Family-Friendly Fun
A fair is more than just a nighttime concert, it’s a full-day experience. This year, we’ve made a conscious effort to pack the schedule with even more daytime entertainment for families. Whether it’s interactive performances, kids' activities, strolling acts, or exciting grandstand shows, we want fairgoers of all ages to have something to enjoy from the moment the gates open.
By shifting focus to a well-rounded, all-day lineup, we’re creating an atmosphere that truly celebrates community, entertainment, and the joy of the fair experience.
Considering the Best Use of the Full Fair Park Facility
In recent years, we have navigated away from using the Grandstand for events involving animals and people on the clay track. Historically, this track has been littered with vehicle parts and fluids, creating potential safety concerns. Recognizing these risks, we have expanded our use of more of the Fair Park grounds to provide safer and more engaging spaces for entertainment.
This year, we are moving our main music entertainment into the large white Coors Light Entertainment Tent, a space designed for great acoustics and a vibrant atmosphere. Additionally, we are relocating the rodeo to the Draft Horse Arena on the west side of the grounds. This move not only introduces fairgoers to a new and scenic performance space but also ensures a safer and more controlled environment for both participants and spectators.
Meanwhile, we are actively exploring how to best maintain and utilize our track and grandstand area for future feature events. While this space remains an important part of Fair Park, we want to ensure it is used in ways that prioritize safety, quality, and the best possible experience for fairgoers.
Recognizing Our Diverse Audience
We know that the decisions made for the fair won’t satisfy everyone. We recognize that we have a diverse audience, and each person chooses to attend—or not attend—the fair for their own individual reasons. While we strive to provide a little something for everyone, we acknowledge that we may not fully meet every expectation.
What we do know is that our dozens of volunteers, committee members, and staff have worked tirelessly to put together an event that represents Jefferson County well and best serves our fair audience. Every decision is made with the community in mind, and we appreciate the passion and feedback of all who love the Jefferson County Fair.
The Bottom Line
Every decision about entertainment at the Jefferson County Fair is made with you in mind. We strive to provide the best experience possible while being mindful of costs, ensuring accessibility for all, and building an event that keeps growing year after year.
Our County Fair is unique in that it operates as a county-run department. That means that all financial decisions are also approved by the 30-member County Board of Supervisors who represent their community members. To further increase public participation in these decisions, the Board has designated a Fair Park Committee (7 members with two public members) and created a 20-member Advisory Board comprised solely of volunteers who have a passion for the Fair and want to see it succeed. This helps us accomplish what was stated above, which we will repeat: every decision is made with you in mind.
We can’t wait for you to experience everything we’ve planned for 2025! Thank you for your attention, your past support and your future visits. Stay tuned for entertainment announcements coming soon and get ready for another incredible year at the fair!