While exact attendance numbers have yet to be released, the 2022 Osceola County Fair is reporting it was up 20 percent from the coronavirus-hamstrung 2021, what Fair officials called, a fantastic fair.
“We have had four days with the second-highest attendance in the last six years and the highest gate revenue for the fair,” said Larry Berry, General Manager of the Kissimmee Livestock Show and Osceola County Fair. “We are super excited about our numbers, and it appears the public was more than ready to return to some normalcy in their lives and we thank them for coming out to enjoy an awesome fair.”
The fair also commented that their online sales were four times that of previous fairs. An express entry line was added for advance sales, more entertainment options, a Hispanic Heritage Day, a new Care Center for Mothers providing a place to care for infants, a new Calm Room for children with sensory challenges, a laser tag game inside the original stage venue, and an added Community Stage with local talent,
“The weather was fantastic, outside of a couple of cool nights," Berry said. "We had no rain this year other than one morning which cleared up by early afternoon.”
Strates Shows, Inc, one of North America’s leading outdoor amusement providers, reported record-breaking days of their own during the 78th Osceola County Fair, including its highest gross ever at the Osceola County Fair.
“The show passed the previous record attained in 2016, by more than 30 percent,” said Strates Shows Director of Operations James E. Strates. Friday, Feb. 18 was an all-time, single-day gross ride record for the Osceola County Fair Strates Shows which culminated in on Friday, beating the next-best day by almost 16 percent, In addition, the Fair’s first Saturday (Feb. 12) saw a 7 percent gain over the previous record for that day.
The Osceola County Fair is put on by the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show and Fair (KVLS), which supports the youth of Osceola County by providing scholarships, grants, and premiums to youth including 4-H and Future Farmers of America members, as well as providing a show venue for livestock shows throughout the year.
