LIMA, OHIO -
The Riverside Acres Tack Shop has been at the Allen County Fair for the past 46 years for one reason.
"To generate revenue," said Rick Rohrbach, tack shop owner.
And when Rohrbach makes money, Allen County benefits. Even though his shop is based in St. Marys, the local sales tax generated at the Allen County Fair stays in Allen County.
However, the true economic impact of the fair is difficult to determine. The Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau has formulas for the other events held on the fairgrounds, but not for the fair itself.
"The tourism formulas we use are based on groups coming in from out of town where they have to stay at hotels and use the facilities around town," said Christine Pleva, CVB Director.
However, Pleva says the fair does draw in the most people.
As one of the larger county fairs in the state, many visitors from outside of Allen County do attend the fair.
"On concert days, we're about 40 to 50 percent out of town. The rest of the time it's about 70 percent local, 30 percent out of town," said Jay Begg, fair manager.
Many of the vendors are also from West central Ohio.
Begg says preference is given to independent vendors in tiers. Allen County vendors are favored, vendors from surrounding counties are next in line, and some preference is also given to Ohio vendors in general.
