Marin County Fair: 210 Opinions

Podcast:

This briefing summarizes the main themes, most important ideas, and key facts derived from community opinions on the recent Marin County Fair, highlighting both positive and negative experiences and offering insights into areas for improvement.

I. Overall Sentiment: Mixed with Significant Concerns

Community sentiment regarding the Marin County Fair is decidedly mixed, with a strong undercurrent of disappointment and frustration, particularly among long-time attendees.
While some found it an enjoyable experience, especially for families with young children, a significant number expressed dissatisfaction with various aspects, leading many to declare they would not return.

	Negative Outlook: Many attendees, like Eric S., called it the "worst experience ever" and a "complete waste of money." Ron Loshin explicitly stated, "It has gotten worse each of the recent years... It’s a county embarrassment." Several indicated it would be their "last visit to the fair" (Nancy Schrock).
	Positive Experiences: Conversely, some, like Gayle P., "Loved the fair, had a great experience," and Denis Ford noted, "My grands had a blast." Melinda Mixer felt "it’s returning to how it used to be… 'pre-Covid'."
	Subjectivity of Experience: Multiple commenters acknowledged the subjective nature of the experience. Juan D. noted, "It's entirely subjective... your mileage may vary." Julie Eichner advised, "I think you need to have realistic expectations when going to an event such as this."

II. Cost and Value Proposition: A Major Point of Contention

The most consistently voiced negative theme revolves around the exorbitant cost of attendance, food, and parking, coupled with a perceived decline in offerings and quality, leading to a poor value proposition for many.

	High Admission Fees: "Way too expensive and not as much to enjoy" (Kaye G.). While early bird tickets were $15, the walk-up price of $30 was seen as prohibitive. "Not everyone in Marin is wealthy" (Julie B.). "For our family of 4, we paid $60 for tickets, $0 for parking. Ended up buying 2 funnel cakes w/ topping for $15 each, so we had a fun day for $90" (Jennifer Sims).
	Outrageous Food Prices & Low Quality: This was a near-universal complaint. Juan D. detailed "obscene" food prices, citing "$15 slushies" and a "$12 for the worst no-frills hot dog." Maureen Garrett paid "$15.00" for a "foot long corn dog" that was "old and horrible" and "$5.00!!" for a can of regular Coke, calling it "Greedy greedy greedy." Many criticized the "low quality unhealthy food" (Kaye G.) and the absence of "local non-profits that used to make homestyle food for reasonable prices" (Juan D., William K., Deborah F., Bruce Vieira).
	Exorbitant Parking: "$20 card-only parking" (Juan D.) was a frequent complaint. Nancy Segale stated, "Between tickets... and parking it was $110 and we hadn’t even entered the fair!"
	Less for More: "Prices going up exponentially with less and less offered is what people are disappointed by" (Logan Barr). This includes "auditorium shows gone, exhibits are smaller, there were hardly any animals, food somehow worse than ever... and the same handful of rides they normally have" (Logan Barr).

III. Operational Issues: Ticketing, Entry, and Parking Chaos

Significant frustration was expressed regarding the fair's operational efficiency, particularly concerning entry, cashless payment, and parking.

	Online/Cashless Only Ticketing: This was a major point of friction, especially for seniors or those unprepared. Frank Settangeli noted, "Is it true you needed a smart phone in order to pay to enter?" Juan D. confirmed, "Yep. Ticket booth is gone. There is no other way to pay." Aline O'Brien described a "super stressful time just getting in" for seniors with cash, relying on the kindness of strangers to pay with a phone. Barbara Adams was "charged 6 times for my one ticket!"
	Bag and Liquid Restrictions: "Arbitrary onerous rules re backpacks or totes:,limited to 8x 10 mini size! Not big enough for a jacket, or blanket for fireworks. Plus uneven enforcement" (Barbara Smith). "The no liquids deal" (Steve Glanz) also caused issues, with Matt O'Shea made to "pour them out" despite being sealed.
	Parking Lot Nightmare: "Trying to leave the parking lot at the end of the night - which was a nightmare" (Sue Marsh). William K. lamented a "generational opportunity" missed to improve traffic flow, suggesting a "dedicated right turn lane."
	Crowd Management: Some found it "not too overcrowded" (Lilian Ansari, Carla DeQ Fernandes), while others, particularly on Thursday evening, experienced extreme crowding: "You could barely walk in the narrower pathways" (Cara Brown Greenwood). Concerns about "rude teenagers, cutting in ride lines in large packs, jumping the fence without paying" (Rob Lau) were also raised.

IV. Declining Entertainment and Exhibit Quality

Many long-time attendees lamented a perceived decline in the quality and variety of entertainment and exhibits, especially compared to past fairs or other county fairs.

	Lack of Animals: A prominent and emotional theme. "No animals though, just a couple goats and pigs" (Norma Dawson). "No chickens, ducks, cows, etc." (Mary Stompe). While some recognized reasons like avian flu (Norma Dawson, Erica H., John De Marchi), many missed the "cows, horses, etc." (Norma Dawson) and 4-H involvement. Debate ensued about the suitability of the Civic Center for livestock given fireworks (Nancy Abballo, Juli Vitas).
	Mediocre Music Lineup (for some): While some appreciated acts like TLC, Zepparella, and Petty Theft ("music alone was worth the price of admission" - Richard Doble), others, like Sharon Jones, missed "bigger names" and "the days Peter Frampton, Joan Jett, and Blue Oyster Cult played there!" Carol L. was "surprised that the 4th only had cover bands."
	Reduced Exhibits and Vendors: "Exhibits are smaller" (Logan Barr), "auditorium is under construction and closed" (Valerie Hopkins). "Over vendors we selling a lot of tchotchkes" (Sharlene Hassler), with a preference for "hand made crafts" (Gayle Davis) and "local artists' work" (Cara Brown Greenwood).
	Missing Features: "Miss the belly dancers, the eating contests, the Greek food booth" (Sharon Jones). "Miss the garden exhibits out in the middle of the fair" (Cara Brown Greenwood).

V. Nostalgia for the "Glory Days" and Comparison to Other Fairs

A significant portion of the feedback reflects a longing for the "glory days" of the Marin County Fair, often invoking past leadership and comparing it unfavorably to larger county and state fairs.

	"Glory Days" and Past Leadership: Cynthia Salvisberg-Haeuser stated, "They have new leadership and are seeking constructive ideas and criticisms to bring it back to the glory days of Charlie Barboni." Julie B. and Christina Williams also recalled "the days when Jim Farley ran the fair."
	Sonoma County Fair as a Benchmark: Many explicitly stated that the Sonoma County Fair is "much better" (Leigha From, Jenette E., Frank Settangeli, Nancy Abballo), citing its extensive animal exhibits, 4-H community, and overall experience, despite potentially higher costs (Mina C.).
	State Fair Comparisons: Fred Saland detailed the extensive offerings of the State Fair and other larger county fairs (Alameda, Contra Costa, Sonoma), including horse racing (though now gone), extensive animal exhibits, varied entertainment, and commercial exhibits, suggesting Marin pales in comparison.

VI. Opportunities for Improvement & Calls to Action

Many attendees offered constructive criticism and direct calls for improvement, often suggesting avenues for communication with fair organizers.

	Feedback Mechanism: Cynthia Salvisberg-Haeuser repeatedly encouraged attendees to "kindly forward your input to fair@marincounty.org " or to the "MCF staff and Supervisors." Kate James also provided a link for feedback.
	Prioritize Value and Affordability: Make the fair "affordable" and "don't mess with the beer" (Eric S.). Ron Loshin emphasized the "urgent need for people to express their negative views of the fair in the hope of fostering improvement- dramatic improvement."
	Revamp Food Scene: "Bring back the Local non-profits and ethnic food!" (William K., Ron Loshin, Deborah F., Cara Brown Greenwood). Focus on "better quality" and "healthy offerings" (Ron Loshin).
	Improve Operations: Address the "nightmare" parking (Sue Marsh, Julie B.), improve ticketing processes for those without smartphones (Aline O'Brien, Frank Settangeli), and review bag/liquid policies.
	Restore Quality Exhibits and Entertainment: Reintroduce more animals (if feasible/humane), book "real has-beens" or larger names for music (Carol L., elvis johnson), and bring back diverse, quality exhibits including garden displays.
	Community Focus: Re-emphasize "local merchants" and "hand made crafts" to foster a "small town/local feel" (Bruce Vieira, Deborah F.).

This briefing highlights the critical areas where the Marin County Fair is both succeeding and falling short in the eyes of its community.
Addressing the significant concerns regarding cost, value, and operational efficiency, while strategically enhancing the quality and variety of offerings, will be crucial for restoring the fair's reputation and appeal for future years.

Quiz: Marin County Fair Feedback

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

What was the most frequently mentioned negative aspect of the Marin County Fair experience, according to the comments?
List two specific complaints related to the food and drink offerings at the fair.
How did the ticketing process at this year's fair frustrate many attendees?
What was a common reason cited by commenters for the decreased presence of animals at the fair?
Despite widespread criticism, what was one consistent positive highlight mentioned regarding the fair's exhibits?
Explain how some attendees managed to save money on admission tickets.
What logistical issue related to transportation was a major pain point for fairgoers?
Besides the typical fair attractions, what specific exhibit focusing on accessibility was highlighted by one positive reviewer?
Many commenters compared the Marin County Fair to other fairs.
Which fair was most frequently used for comparison, and what aspects were highlighted as superior there?
What specific suggestion did Ron Loshin propose to improve the food scene at the Marin County Fair?

Answer Key

The most frequently mentioned negative aspect was the high cost, which encompassed expensive admission tickets, exorbitant food and drink prices, and high parking fees.
Many commenters felt the value received did not justify these costs.
Two specific complaints were the "ludicrously overpriced" food (e.g., a $12-$16 hot dog) and the "low quality" or "mediocre" taste of the offerings.
Additionally, many missed the presence of local non-profit food vendors who previously offered better quality and value.
The online-only ticketing process frustrated many attendees because it required a smartphone and advance purchase, leaving those with cash or without immediate internet access stranded.
There was no traditional ticket booth for on-site purchase, creating stressful entry experiences.
A common reason cited for the decreased presence of animals was concern over animal welfare, specifically the impact of loud fireworks and ground vibrations.
Additionally, statewide bans due to viruses like avian flu were mentioned as a reason for the absence of certain livestock.
Despite overall mixed reviews for exhibits, the art displays (including murals and needlework) and the bonsai exhibit consistently received positive feedback.
These were often cited as redeeming features of the indoor areas.
Some attendees managed to save money on admission tickets by purchasing them in advance (e.g., in May) for a reduced price of $15, compared to $30 at the gate.
Additionally, kids 12 and under were free on the first day, and seniors had a specific free admission day.
A major logistical issue related to transportation was the "nightmare" of trying to leave the parking lot at the end of the night due to severe congestion.
The $20 parking fee was also a significant complaint.
Gayle P. highlighted the "momentumrefresh.com exhibit," which showcased a "forth generation accessible bathroom with overhead lift, adult changing table etc."
This was seen as an inspiring solution for the disabled community.
The Sonoma County Fair was most frequently used for comparison.
Commenters highlighted its superior animal exhibits (including 4-H involvement and livestock auctions) and often described it as a generally "much better" or "awesome" experience.
Ron Loshin proposed revamping the entire food scene by letting local merchants and non-profits have booths.
He believed this would significantly improve both the quality and value proposition of the food offerings.