New Face of the Saratoga County Fair

Kevin Grupe began his post as General Manager in October 2009, and has since been working to improve the Fair's marketing strategy and outreach and attract a bigger crowd.

Grupe took over the position after former General Manager Dick Rowland announced his retirement and plans to devote his full time and attention to his role as Greenfield Town Supervisor and being a retiree. Rowland, who was with the Fair for 19 years, was the first and only General Manager until Grupe stepped in.

But, having grown up four miles west of the fair grounds on a family farm in Galway, Grupe is more than familiar with the fair and the kind of hype which surrounds it.

Although the past few years have been slower, the Saratoga County Fair draws an average of 80,000 people each summer. Tourists and locals flock to the fair grounds, excited for the food and merchandise vendors, carnival rides, entertainment and talent events.

According to Grupe, in 2009 the fair drew 10,000 more attendees, hopefully breaking the slow-streak of a few years back, and he is shooting for 100,000 visitors in 2010. "If I can have one more person than last year I'll be happy," he said.

However, Grupe is slightly uneasy about the track's extended season.

"In the past we've always tried to avoid the track season because we want to be the only game in town on our particular week. We've never run that exact same time, and we don't know how it will affect our attendance. We've never had to deal with that before, so we're nervous," he said.

Instead of working against the track's extended schedule, Grupe is planning on working with it.
"I'm hoping that on my end of it, I'm just going to try to make lemonade out of the lemons; my hope is to draw some of the people from the track while they're here," Grupe said.

The Fair is going to target the race track's audience as part of their marketing campaign.
Utilizing social-networking tools is also a top priority for Grupe, especially for reaching the younger, teenage demographic.

According to Grupe, many people associate county fairs with food, animals and the carnival, but there really is much more to it. For example, the Fair hosts a week-long talent contest that is know for being one of the best in the state.

"It's an excellent, excellent competition. Brittny Kissinger who played Annie on Broadway got her start here at our talent pavilion dancing and singing. She was with us for a few years," he said.

Other fun attractions and entertainment include the largest six-horse draft hitch show in the country, the rodeo, demolition derby, four-wheel truck pull shows, and a beer garden. Grupe is working with Irish Fest on a joint-project to bring top talent to the beer garden during the fair.

"We're fun and very affordable. You can come here all day long and take advantage of everything we have to offer for a reasonable price. And you're guaranteed a good time."