FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) — Red River Valley Fair wants to find out what the public would like to see for next year’s fair after what it has called a “financial disaster” at this summer’s three-weekend event.
The “Fair Experience Survey” asks for ideas about carnival rides, food vendors, live performances and how much fair-goers are willing to spend.
General Manager Cody Cashman says an estimated 137,000 people passed through the gates. Fair organizers expected closer to 200,000.
The Blake Shelton concert cost $1.1 million, but only sold 5,500 tickets.
Compounding the issue was the loss of $400,000 to credit card chargebacks in 2023. Cashman says the FBI is investigating this as credit card fraud, but it’s unlikely the fair will recover the lost revenue.
The survey will be open until Oct. 1.
A $1.2 million emergency funding request was rejected Monday by Cass County Commission.
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