GRAFTON, N.D. - The carnival rides at county fairs are getting harder to find.
Secretary of the North Dakota Association of Fairs Neil Fleming says a dwindling rural population, the high cost of fuel and insurance are among the reasons.
"The people just aren't there, and the carnival gross is down all over," Fleming said.
Insurance, transportation costs and licensing fees have gone up, he said. And carnivals are finding it harder to get the local help needed at each stop.
"At last count, Minnesota had about 22 to 25 fairs without carnivals. North Dakota and South Dakota have probably 15 fairs without carnivals each," Fleming said.
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"You can't blame the carnivals. They're not trying to rip off the people, but if they're only going to gross $20,000 and it costs $35,000 to come in, they're better to stay in one of the larger fairs."
County fairs are adjusting, Fleming said. Next July, the Pembina County Fair will offer inflatable games and rides to compensate for the absence of a carnival, he said.
