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The 2007 Fair still holds the record with a local economic impact of $1,387,180.48.
Overall, this year's Fair posted a net profit of $109,683, down approximately $90,317 from last year.
"We had some hurdles to climb in 2009 with a very trying economy, rising costs and a couple of warm days that hindered our daytime crowds," Jones told Chamber members.
"Our net profit was not as desirable as we had hoped, but our continued compassion to our community and the local economic impact on our economy remained constant," she said.
The local economic impact includes money spent on capital improvements; supplies and services purchased from area merchants; money earned by school, civic, church and service organizations; salaries paid to the Chamber staff; and prize money paid out to exhibitors and contestants.
Fair premiums and prize money paid out for home economics, livestock and motor sports events totaled $51,608, down slightly from $52,953.75 in 2008. The premium total in 2007 was $74,438.15.
The combined total paid out for all of the Blue Ribbon livestock auctions, including steer, hog, lamb and milk, was $277,584, Jones reported. The auction grand total in 2008 was $326,523.54. The record is $419,854.25, set in 2007.
All but 1 percent of the money bid in the livestock auctions goes back to the youth exhibitors. The money held back is put into a scholarship fund for youth who show livestock. Scholarships also are presented to the Fair queen and her court. This year, the combined total scholarships for livestock and the queen and her court was $10,500.
The Fair Board spent a total of $28,602.78 for capital improvements this year, including fryers for the lunch stand and security system updates. For the 2008 Fair, the board spent about $17,891 on improvements.
Supplies and services purchased locally from vendors totaled $604,049.95, which is up from $587,206.98 in 2008.
This total includes salaries for Chamber staff, park personnel, cleanup, guards and data entry services.
The Fair paid out $102,255 to the various groups and organizations that worked in the concession stands, at the gates and all of the parking lots during the five days.
Last year the Fair paid out $128,688, which stands as the record.
Jones noted there were many changes implemented with the 2009 Fair which took the event to a new level. These changes included a new ticket system, new bleachers, a switch from draft to canned beer and new advertising opportunities, including a big screen for live video at the main stage.
"We also had an elephant encounter, outhouse races, mother/daughter contest, new tents, additional security systems and we added a recycling program with 130 recycle bins," she added.
The Fair Board will continue to try new things, Jones said, and some will be successful and some not.
"But each time we fail, we will rethink the outcome and start all over again," she said.
The Fair chairman said the Fair Board of 23 members puts in many long hours to make the event a reality.
"But without all the backing of our organizations, sponsors and advertisers, none of this would happen," she pointed out. "The Fair Board implements the ideas, but the volunteers make it happen."
She thanked the fire department, ambulance, police and security who "year after year help to keep our fairgrounds a safe and pleasant place to bring our families."
She also singled out her co-chair John Kleekamp for his hard work and efforts over the past year.
"John is already busy working to perfect the changes that were put into place and bring additional new venues to our Fair," she said.
Jones also noted that all Fair Board members and volunteers purchase a ticket to come to the Fair.
"One thing we should all feel good about is for five days we are giving back to our community that has so much to offer us and our families," she said. "It is the hype and anticipation of a child's summer. It is smiles and laughter of the crowd that keep us coming back working harder year after year.
"And as members of our community, I hope you too will continue to help make the Fair a place where friends meet for many years to come," Jones added, referring to the 2009 theme.
Also speaking Thursday was Kleekamp, who will lead the 2010 Fair. He announced the new theme - Righter Where U Want to B - and introduced Fair Board members. Kleekamp's co-chair will be Jay Nowak.
