Fundraiser is last-ditch effort to save state fair

RENO -- Nevadans couldn't have known at the time, but last year's state fair might have been their last.

Fair officials facing a big budget shortfall and a financing deadline next week have organized a last-ditch fundraiser in Sparks on Saturday to try to keep the fair from folding up its tent for the first time in 136 years.

"This is it, the last hoorah for the Nevada state fair," said Rich Crombie, the event's executive director. He hopes a big turnout will spur local businesses to contribute toward the $250,000 needed to keep the fair alive.

If not, Nevada will join Michigan as the only states without fairs. Facing similar economic woes, Michigan ended its 160-year-old event last year.

Crombie expects to make an announcement Tuesday on whether the 2011 event will take place in August.

The fair gets no state or government support, and donations have dwindled over the years, he said.

Last year's event held at the Reno Livestock Events Center drew about 30,000 people.