The Wyoming State Fair attracts more than five times the crowds of our own, well attended, Park County Fair. 

Obviously the nature of it being the state fair is a big part of the draw, but the grandstand events, as with ours, are a part of that as well. And while that event includes two of our staple events, the always sold out demolition derby and the popular figure 8 races, this year’s event did not include a grandstand concert, instead offering a few nights of rodeo. 

Now, I’m not going to analyze what events are the most popular (that’s clear: the demo derby). I simply point out the state fair as an example of a fair being willing to go without a grandstand event that has struggled to make money the last few years in Powell: the concert. 

That’s what it boils down to. Does one of the grandstand events have to be a concert? 

The fair advisory board hasn’t given up on a concert, although members are pursuing a rock cover band that would go away from the country genre for the first time in a while, as an effort to attract more people. While a recent survey reiterated that most people would like a country concert, that hasn’t translated into anywhere near packed houses for the last few country singers. 

I commend the advisory board members for thinking outside the box on genre, but if this new genre attempt doesn’t pan out, should we think further outside the box and eschew a grandstand concert altogether? 

It wouldn’t mean the end of music at the fair, far from it. The free stage is filled with talented local and regional singers and bands that make for an enjoyable meal break. 

Then the grandstand night could be filled with something that might bring in more people, or, failing that, bring in a similar amount for less. I know it’s been tried in the past, but what about a ranch rodeo (I know that was tried in 2019)? Or a rodeo that brings in competitors from the Nite Rodeo (maybe a collaboration for a night?) complete with the all important mutton bustin’.

If rodeo’s not your thing — and if it’s not why? — then offer up an alternative at a fair board advisory board meeting, or write a letter. Or, maybe there’s some other way to save the concert. Maybe Hairball, the 80's rock cover band currently being pursued, will be the answer. But if not, let’s think further outside the box.