A new report from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions shows agricultural fairs generate nearly $52 billion in economic impact across the United States. David Grindle, president and CEO, says the 2025 Economic Impact Study highlighted the financial contributions from 1,400 fairs. “We look at how much money the fair and fairgrounds spend and puts into the community, they’re buying from local resources,” he says. “When we get into fair attendance, attendees who come in and they spend money in the community, they spend money at the fair.” He tells Brownfield these events generate year-round income. “They really are that big event space. That’s bringing tourism dollars in, so that’s showing that year-round impact.” Grindle says more than 60 percent of the U.S. population attended a fair in 2024. “They’re helping to educate and show people how to connect with the source of their food,” he says.