San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Fair, long known for excellence, innovation, and forward-thinking vision, earned top recognition at the recent Western Fairs Association Annual Achievement Awards program.
The MacIntosh Pipe Band shows some Summer of Love spirit during the 2017 Marin County Fair. The 2017 Marin County Fair
Let the Funshine In, celebrating the 50
th anniversary of the Summer of Love, was awarded 33 individual Achievement Awards (the highest number of any fair), including two Featured Awards for the fair’s innovative digital marketing campaign and for the fair’s special themed program showcasing the spirit and tradition of the Summer of Love. The themed program award honored the fair’s dedication to the 1967 spirit with the music and concerts, art, fashion, competitive exhibits, endless tie dye, and more.
The 2017 Marin County Fair garnered 21 First Place awards, seven Second Place Awards, three Third Place Awards, and a nomination for the Merrill Award, the most prestigious and coveted award in the fair industry for the Summer of Love theme. The Western Fairs Association program recognizes excellence in media and marketing and innovations in fair management.
“In an era of increased innovation and creativity in the fair industry, I’m absolutely thrilled that the Marin County Fair continues to be a leader and visionary in the field,” said Fair Manager Charlie Barboni, Western Fair’s 2017 Hall of Fame inductee. “Our fair reflects our community in the commitment to art, agriculture, the environment, and innovation and we always try to stay true to our fundamental values.”
The Marin County Fair received the awards January 5 during the association’s convention in Anaheim. The Western Fairs Association, a 150-member trade association representing fairs in the western United States and Canada, recognizes excellence in the fair industry at its convention and provides a forum for fairs to share successful ideas and programs.
2017 Marin County Fair Award Winning Entries in annual Western Fairs Association competition
Featured Program Awards
First Place Outstanding Achievement – Theme Program (Summer of Love)
First Place Outstanding Achievement – Digital Marketing Campaign
Individual Achievement Awards
First Place
- Television Advertising (Single TV ad)
- Overall Outdoor Advertising Campaign
- Any Other Advertising Campaign (Summer of Love Psychedelic Poster and Postcard)
- Interim Event Rentals Innovative Marketing Strategy or concept (Monthly E-newsletter)
- Fair Program/Schedule
- Fairtime Innovative Marketing strategy or Concept (Let The Funshine In!)
- Give it your Best Shot Photograph – Community
- Fairtime Commemorative Poster
- New Exhibits – Competition (Let The Funshine In! Special Contests)
- New Event, Exhibit or Program (Fantasy Fair Pavilion)
- New Children’s Program (Turn On, Tune In Children’s Activities)
- New Wellness Program (FloWater Stations)
- New Sponsorship Program (Organic Valley Blue Ribbon Stage)
- New Innovative use of Technology (Using Analytic Research for Improved Marketing)
- New Community Outreach Program (Marin County Free Library STEAM Activities
- Fair Volunteer Program
- Interim Events (Marin Center Evacuation Center)
- Event within an Event (50th Anniversary Renaissance Faire Exhibit)
- Crisis Management (Marin Center Evacuation Center)
- Inspiring Collaboration (Upcycling Street Banners)
- Agricultural Programming
Second Place
- Television Advertising - Television Ad Series
- Radio Advertising - Radio Ad Series
- Printed Marketing Campaign
- Social Media Campaign
- Fair Logo Contest
- Poster - Fairtime Advertising Poster (Summer of Love Psychedelic Poster)
- Guest Services (Parking Shuttle Program)
Third Place
- Non-Profits (Marin Cultural Association Wine & Beer Garden)
- Give it your Best Shot (Photography) – Carnival
- Give it your Best Shot (Photography) – Exhibits – “Flour Power”
The 77th annual Marin County Fair, themed All for One & Fun for All, will be held June 30 through July 4, 2018. Visit www.marinfair.org for more information.