Western Montana Fair Breakdown – What’s Wrong, and How to Fix It

The Western Montana Fair is a treat for most Missoulians. For others, a reason to avoid the fairgrounds altogether. Let's be honest, in past years the annual fair has been a let down for many locals and some are quick to point out it's flaws. Let's shine a spotlight on a little constructive criticism in hopes that these suggestions won't fall upon deaf ears in time for this years go-around.

Following last years fair, many of our readers had some brutally honest feedback to share about their experiences. Today, we want to resurrect those comments to be a subtle reminder on how we can improve this August's festivities. Keep in mind, credit IS due to the hard working crew who put this event on for our town year after year, and we do feel a tad bit awkward in having to bring up the negative aspects. Hey, at least we are fortunate to have a fair! Right? But in reality, how can this annual event ever improve without a little nudge from the people who spend their hard earned money at this event?

Brace yourself, here's what Missoula truthfully thinks about last year's Western Montana Fair and hopefully how to improve it this year...

"The Western Montana Fair should be ashamed of its self! It was the worst turn out I have ever seen.They already ruined the fair for the adults a few years ago by taking away the horse races. Now this year it was ruined for a lot of young kids with the rides being broke down. I know that the rides were not the fairs fault, however they need to take some sort of responsibility for it.There were not very many animals, hardly any entries in the buildings and the fee that the fair charges for all these non profit booths is ridiculous too! No wonder so much of the food was so expensive! Because of the low attendance of people at the fair some of these booths didn't even break even, because the fair gauges them. We the people of Missoula and surrounding areas make this fair, we are the ones that spend our hard earned money there. If something doesn't change we will not be spending our money there...hence the end of the fair as we know it." - Jennifer Mole-Wood

"For the rides that were their and most of them broke down they could of lowered the P.O.P stamps fair food was good but was expensive for the most part! Think next year going to wait and go to Plains fair free to get in all the time and P.O.P are bout the same price but all the rides are running and would be worth the wait wasn't really impressed!" - Frankie Rodriguez

"My son is three and the only reason I took him was for him to get the experience and he loves going on rides. The rides haven't changed in probably 15 years or more broken down, dirty, and the people working the kiddie rides were mostly rude. It was just a poor experience altogether. Next year I probably won't take him, unless they make some huge changes. Everybody I talked to felt the same way a HUGE ripoff." - Kate Reddick

"The Fair has been struggling for some years now. I don't mind paying the cost for the food because a good portion goes to good causes. The carnival is just not what I would come to expect for a Missoula event. The carnival has had to sell rides to cover creditors, and it shows. Unfortunately, there is just not enough funding to get it all fixed at once. If Missoula put forth an effort like it did for getting a baseball stadium, things would get fixed properly. It is a must to get the racing back at the fair to get the attendance back up. There has to be a bigger act/band that is currant for a night show. And something must be done to get those bathrooms fixed up. That said, we had great attendance at the Free stage at night." - Roger Harmon

"Too expensive and even after you pay all this money to get in most the rides are broken or shut down. and the staff are completely rude including to the children. Waste of time and money. Sad....it probably would've been a better deal to go to Silverwood for the day." - Samantha Murphy

"It saddens me to hear how horrible the fair was this year. We couldn't make it and now I am glad we didn't go. Our daughter will be three next year and we would LOVE for her to experience the fair like I remember and keep going back. Our community needs this yearly event to bolster our spirits. Come on Fair Commission, get it rolling! With the right campaign the community will support the cause." - Lacey Kuntz

"My son makes everything fun, so I enjoyed myself. we went on the 1st day (Tuesday) and only 1 window on each of the 2 ticket booths were open and the lines were so long in the sweltering heat. the price for all-you-can-ride was $20, but I noticed that a good portion of the rides were either missing or not running - so I opted for the tickets instead. A carnie told me that most of the rides were stuck in MT (at the last location) because of a storm or something and that they would all be here and working by early the next morning. thankfully, 2 nice carnies kept letting my son ride for free again & again... so we got our moneys worth- though I did notice many of the rides were falling apart. (lights not replaced on the rides or inside the rides -even when dark... pieces missing... broken and holes exposed or covered with duct tape). The 2nd day, Wednesday--- another long line for tickets (which was still closed an hour after the printed start time) and the all-you-can-ride jumped up to $30. (what?) late in the afternoon, carnies were still trying to set up and get rides running. At 1 ride, we were told it was opening in 10 minutes and 2 hours later, there was a huge line and it still was not open. even the games were still being set up, late on the 2nd day. My son had his heart set on a toy at a game... and picking it up, the arm fell off and the entire back was ripped open- yet they still put it back on display after we told them. didn't see all the animals like last year, but liked the camel rides." - Heather June

"The 2012 Western Montana Fair was a total joke this year. Half the rides either didn't work or just weren't there. I was really disappointed and sure wish I wouldn't have went and wasted my money. I even waited until Sunday in the hopes that maybe more rides would be there and that didn't happen. The prices were outrageous and some of the smaller towns around the Missoula area don't even charge gate admission and their over all prices are cheaper as well. The people in Missoula are the ones who make this fair and we spend our hard earned money and this is what we get.. By far the worst fair in the 35+ years I have been going to the fair here. I went to the rodeo Friday night and wasn't even impressed with it either. Even as an adult I enjoy looking at the animals and seeing the exhibits and those weren't even that great this year. Seriously considering going to a fair in a surrounding city close by or just go to Silverwood next year... SO DISAPPOINTED" - Elaine Brown

"Did anybody notice the power going out twice last year, and the huge sparks coming out of the power trailer! I also seen a guy arguing with one of the supervisors about his daughter almost falling out of the Kamikaze type ride. The supervisor asked the carnie running the ride, who could barely speak English, if he was putting people on that side. The carnie said yes and the supervisor said "I told you not to put people there it's broken." Then after the father walked away the supervisor told the carnie "F him!" Think I'm going to boycott next year...seriously!" - Tony Filth

The Western Montana Fair arrives at the Missoula fairgrounds August 6-11, 2013. Full details about this years fesitivities can be found here.