The 2026 Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo closed in the red — but the people who ran it are already rebuilding for next year.

Jefferson County Event Complex manager Bart Platt presented a financial recap to county commissioners this week, reporting a net loss of $13,995 for the 2026 fair. Despite the setback, Platt and the fair board say the challenges were extraordinary and are determined to make 2027 a comeback year.

A Season of Setbacks

“I’ve been doing events for over 20 years now, and I’ve never experienced an event that was hit with so many challenges,” Platt told commissioners.

The troubles began a full month before the gates opened. The carnival vendor — typically a centerpiece of the fair experience — pulled out due to staffing shortages, forcing organizers to scramble. Platt’s team brought in 541 Bounce from Bend as a replacement, offering obstacle courses, bounce houses, and water slides.

“We worked for 10 months on producing what I thought was going to be the greatest fair this community had ever seen, and 30 days before we got to it we had to change everything,” Platt said.

Wildfires across Central Oregon made things worse. Poor air quality and road closures cut attendance by roughly two-thirds compared to a typical year. Mid-fair, several vendors and staff had to leave the fairgrounds to protect their homes from approaching fires.

Moments Worth Keeping

Even amid the hardship, Platt said the community showed its character. When the pre-recorded national anthem failed to play before the FFA and 4-H livestock auction, the crowd responded by singing it — a cappella and unprompted.

“Those are the things that I will definitely hold dear to my heart and remember years down the road when I’m old and not doing this,” Platt said.

Platt also praised the 4-H and FFA youth who compete all year for that one week.

“The 4-H and FFA kids work all year for their Super Bowl,” he said. “It’s not fair to not allow them to have that opportunity — and it’s more than just the sale. It’s the atmosphere and everything that goes into the celebration of all their hard work.”

What’s Canceled, What’s Coming

The financial loss has resulted in the cancellation of a bull riding event that had been scheduled for October at the fairgrounds. But Platt emphasized that’s the only casualty.

Commissioner Seth Taylor put the loss in perspective: “This year’s a one-off. Yeah, we took a $14,000 hit. That’s not the end of the world. That’s not the end of our future.”

Fair board chair Dan Comingore echoed that spirit: “We overcome, we adapt and execute. That’s what we did. That’s what we’ll continue to do.”

Platt confirmed the carnival will return in 2027 and promised big things: “Next year’s fair is going to be nothing this community has ever seen.”

Get Involved

Community members interested in helping shape the 2027 fair can attend fair board meetings, held at the Jefferson County offices at 66 S.E. D St. in Madras, at 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.