Homegrown Fun at the Del Mar Fairgrounds earned approximately $ 3.8 million, according to financial results reviewed by the fairground’s board of directors on Sept. 14.
Rides, which were a late addition to the month-long event when COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed, raised $ 1.8 million in revenue.
“We didn’t expect to have this at the beginning of the budgeting process,” said Michael Sadegh, Finance Director of the exhibition center. “This was forecast long before the restrictions were lifted in February or March, so we didn’t expect to have rides within Homegrown Fun. As we moved forward, we decided to do a few trips and then added more when the restrictions were lifted. “
Higher-than-expected ride and concession revenues, grossing $ 1.15 million, helped offset weaker than expected ticket, parking, and merchandise revenues. However, board members and exhibition site staff have said they have received a lot of positive feedback from attendees who welcomed the return of face-to-face entertainment after a year of quarantine.
Homegrown Fun served as the stripped-down version of the San Diego County Fair, which was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Fairground staff previously announced that the event drew around 272,000 people before ending with fireworks on July 4th.
The fair is usually the fairground’s biggest wage earner. Carlene Moore, CEO of the exhibition center, said employees have no direct comparison between revenue from previous fairs and this year’s Homegrown Fun. The show was usually built into the annual budget, she added, while this year’s event had a separate budget.
“At the moment we can’t make that direct comparison,” said Moore. “I think what this really showed was how excited people were to have something to do this summer.”
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