Thread: State Fair -- how did you get the gig?

I'm curious about people who dance at county and state fairs -- how did you get the gig and how exactly do you "fit in" with pig auctions and the demolition derby?

We have several opportunities locally for doing this kind of thing, but I've never really pursued it. I'd like to, but I'm not sure how to approach the organizers. How did you all do it?

Thanks!

Generally, the fair has an entertainment booking company that will accept your application. Most of the fairs in California are handled by a company called Wilson Entertainment.
I think they are based in Sacramento.
Each local fair has a fair board, you can contact them for information.
You will find it listed under the county you live in, example San Diego County, fair board of directors.
Try that, it might be worded a little different inyour phone book.
Also, if you know of a dance studio or performer or even an exhibitor, ask them who they contacted to be there.
Good luck with it. Let us know how it turns out

LA Co. Fair; you contact their entertainer dir. & get an appl. San Bernardino Co.Fair ditto. you are usually put on a "community stage" & the other acts are from dance studios, school choirs etc. they do often have different acts too. yes the fair can be eclectic. i have performed between the bear show & the pig races. one year a T-Rex display was by they stage going RWWRRRR & a mechanical bull was there to throwing people around. this year i'm after a dance studio BUT before the diaper derby. you must bring a sense of humour. i just tell myself this was probably what it was like at the turn of the century. i usually don't do a dead serious dance either. one thing you usually have to contact them MONTHS before the Co. Fair. since summer is almost here you might be too late. i do my first Co. Fair in 2 weeks. tina

Thanks! The only performers at our local county fairs are usually country music singers and the occasional bluegrass banjo player, and they've been doing it for ages. I suppose this might be the difference between California and Indiana -- and the fact that all our fairs are 4H deals, where the real end result is to get your kid's cow a blue ribbon. I think it's a fun idea though -- maybe I'll go to a bunch of them this summer and see if I can meet the entertainment organizers.

Has anybody ever told you, "Why on earth would we want BELLYDANCERS at a fair?" cause I can see that sort of thing happening here.

nope fairs here are very countrified too. tina

Go in with a more covered look with yor performances.

The audience still wants to see some glitter and glitz but a full out sexy bedlah isnt a good fair choice.

We usually wore Galabyas (Sp?) or something more folkloric looking.

Keep your music choices upbeat and not too long, props seem to be a big attraction too.