The 2014 Evergreen State Fair – the largest annual event in Snohomish County and one of the biggest in the Northwest – wrapped up Monday, Sept 1, after setting two notable records. The 12-day fair set a new attendance record as 341,128 people enjoyed the best crafts, animals and food in the Northwest. The fair also set a single-day attendance record of 46,273 people on Sunday, Aug. 31.

“The Evergreen State Fair wouldn’t be such a success without the incredible support of local volunteers, 4-H and FFA organizers, and our dedicated parks staff,” said Snohomish County executive John Lovick. “I’m very proud to be part of such a wonderful community event.”

Fair organizers understand how important the annual fair is to the community – and believe that it’s equally important to provide low-cost opportunities for the community to be a part of the celebration. The Evergreen State Fair is the only fair in the area with entry day discounts, including free admission for seniors, discounted admission with donations of nonperishable food and more. Fairgoers donated more than 40,000 pounds of nonperishable food items were donated during two Fridays of the 12-day fair, in support of local food banks throughout Snohomish County.

The 30 new Zero Waste Stations around the fairgrounds this encouraged fairgoers to compost and recycle. In a survey of 212 visitors, 96 percent said the Zero Waste effort made their fair experience better, and 98 percent said the educators made it easier to find the right container for their waste. Zero Waste Stations also reduced the number of compostable and recyclable headed to the landfill by 33 percent and 46 percent respectively.

This year, the vegetable displays demonstrated that growing local food is really a part of what makes living in the Northwest so great. Local citizens entered a record number of exhibits from their home gardens in the agriculture and food preservation departments. The agriculture exhibit and goat barn both won the Washington State Fair Commission’s prestigious black and white award for outstanding exhibits.

Some of the fair’s biggest challenges going forward are how to best help local farmers adapt to changing economic conditions in Snohomish County and how to position the fair as a place to teach the next generation about the importance of growing a local sustainable food source.

Learn more about the Evergreen State Fair online at www.evergreenfair.org.