Puyallup Fair

. cite web|url=http://www.thefair.com/utility/about-us/history.php|title=Historical Facts: 1900-2000|work=TheFair.com] The Western Washington Fair Association hosts two annual events: the 17-day Puyallup Fair every September, and the four-day Puyallup Spring Fair every April.

Situated in Puyallup, convert|35|mi|km south of Seattle and convert|10|mi|km east of Tacoma in the shadow of Mount Rainier, the fairgrounds comprise convert|160|acre|km2, with buildings and land valued at more than $54 million. The facilities are available for rent during the year, making the grounds a valuable community resource. A staff of 55 works year-round. Over 7,500 employees are hired each September during the Fair.cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2003/09/22/daily6.html|title=Puyallup Fair attendance down slightly|accessdate=2008-09-23|date=2003-09-22|work=Puget Sound Business Journal]

The fairgrounds were known as Camp Harmony, an internment camp for Japanese Americans, during World War II.

Until 2006, the fair was officially known as the "Western Washington Fair." At that time, the former name was dropped and changed to match the more common usage. The name of the fairgrounds was changed to "The Puyallup Fair and Events Center." It is now a facility that is opened year round covering various seasonal festivals (such as the Victorian Country Christmas), races, concerts, car shows, and sporting expositions (such as the International Sportsman's Exposition).

Attendance

Attendance has grown significantly since the fair's October 4, 1900 opening, drawing more than one million people each year. Selected dates:

2008: 1,163,969 (21st highest attendance)cite web|url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/489607.html|title=Despite nice weather, fewer do the Puyallup|work=The News Tribune|lastname=Santos|firstname=Melissa|accessdate=2008-09-23|date=2008-09-23]
2007: 1,182,937
2006: 1,131,276
2005: 1,117,707
2004: 1,073,581
2003: About 1,160,000
2002: About 1,180,000
2000: About 1,300,000
1999: 1,238,029
1993: 1,420,037 (highest attendance ever)
1991: 1,414,487
1989: About 1,300,000
1980-1988: Between 1,100,000 and 1,200,000
Late 1930's: About 400,000
1922: About 130,000
1900: About 5,500 families

References