CHANGING THE FACE OF THE
MARIN COUNTY FAIR
A Community Partnership Model
Play Fair 2010 - Live on 5 at 6:45
Concerned about the health of the county, Marin community organizations have, since 2004, partnered with the
Marin County Fair to create a culture that encourages fair visitors to make healthier choices, both at and after
the Fair. Working together to address and change social norms, a healthier and more family-friendly environment
at the Fair has been created through changes in policy, practices and voluntary measures related to alcohol, tobacco,
access to healthy foods, physical activity and healthy living.
Eliminating Alcohol Sponsorship:
The Marin County Fair was the first
fair in the nation to dump its beer sponsors in 2004. Assuring continuation of this initiative, this unique community
sponsorship model made history in 2006 when the Marin County Board of Supervisors took the remarkable step of banning
all alcohol sponsorships and advertising at the Marin County Fair. Why is all this important? Everyday young people
are bombarded with advertisements promoting the consumption of alcohol on television, the radio, the internet,
in magazines, and at community fairs and festivals.
 Enforcing its “Smoke-Free” Ordinance:
The landscape of the Marin County
Fair continued to change when, in 2007, the Marin County Board of Supervisors adopted a ban on smoking at any County
facility. Again working through the strength of its community partners, the Marin County Fair was the first in
the nation to effectively enforce such a ban, setting up “smoking tents” outside the borders of the fairgrounds,
where smoking cessation materials were distributed.
Tasty Treats and Healthy Food Options:
Knowing that visitors yearn for
the tasty  treats
associated with fairs, the Marin County Fair has lead the nation in encouraging its vendors to develop menus that
include healthier options, prepared according to nutritional guidelines. The
Marin County Nutrition Wellness Program
has been working with fair vendors to assist them in developing healthier menus and encouraging active promotion
of those healthier options. Maps and signs leading the way to these vendors, as well as cash awards, certificates
of participation, and colorful signage have helped get all 30 of the Fair’s vendors excited about the Healthy Food
Choices program.
Physical Activity and Healthy Living:
PLAY FAIR FUN FEST
has created a “fair within a fair”, combining forces and resources to provide inspiring information about personal
and environmental health. Fairgoers played games and earned prizes, all while alerting children and families to
a variety of innovative ways to make healthy choices and get more exercise at, and outside, the Fair. Fairgoers
are given pedometers to track their steps, as well as maps of the fairgrounds, and encouraged to walk, dance, hula
hoop and skip their way to healthier choices. Fairgoers can climb on our pedal-powered fan and create some
COOL GREEN
FUN, or hop on a bicycle blender and make a delicious and
healthy fruit smoothie!
What We’ve Achieved:
In fact, the efforts of Marin County Fair and its partners to change the culture
and social norms of the Fair have been so groundbreaking that both Marin County and the Marin County Fair have
received numerous awards and recognition for this effort, including achievement awards from the Western Fair Association.
Working together as a community that supports the health of its residents, the Marin County Fair has:
- Reduced exposure to alcohol, tobacco and fast food marketing
- Reduced alcohol sales to youth and intoxicated persons
- Eliminated exposure to second-hand smoke
- Increased healthy food items
- Increased physical activity at the fair
- Educated fairgoers about community resources and healthy lifestyles
- Created a more family-friendly environment
- Increased recognition of the Marin County Fair as a national model
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