<html><head></head><body><div class="yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">When I come to pick up the donations at the end of each Fair day, I am asked how we are doing. The answer to that question changes almost daily. </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Compared to last year (2022), our attendance started out slow the first weekend. The following week improved and we were equal to last year in total attendance. Now, after twelve days of a twenty-days Fair, we are running about ten percent below last year in attendance and donations. Bear in mind, both years are far short of the statistics of 2019 when we set records of attendance and donations.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">It is tempting to hypothesize or speculate on what is happening. I have heard the following thoughts: 1. the weather is too cold; 2. the weather is too hot; 3. the Fair prices are too expensive; 4. more uncounted visitors are coming in the back door due to the tent-vendors located in that vicinity. Without hardly trying, I could come up with several more obscure, but equally plausible, causes for the change in Fair/ACCRS attendance. Note that we have zero control on any of them.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">The fact is that we are fortunate to be located where we have access to a broad spectrum of the general public to show off our hobby. The income from donations allows us to continue to make improvements to our layouts. The verbal feedback from the visitors is heartening. </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">John</div></div></body></html>