Fresh Concession Management Ideas for Your County Fair

The county fair is a timeless institution. The smell of fried onions and candy floss, the roar of the prize-winning livestock, the thrill of the rides—it’s a sensory feast that creates lasting memories. For organisers, a huge part of that experience, and a critical revenue stream, comes from the concession stands.

However, in an era of foodie culture and digital convenience, the traditional model of simply renting out pitches to the highest bidder is no longer sufficient. To create a truly memorable and profitable event, you need to think like a modern retailer. It’s time to level up your concession management.

Here are some fresh ideas to transform your county fair’s concession experience.

1. Curate Your Collection: Think Like a Festival Director

Don't just collect vendors; curate them. A well-thought-out mix of concessions can elevate the entire feel of your fair.

• Create Themed Zones: Instead of a random jumble of stalls, design distinct areas. Imagine a "Farm-to-Fork Lane" featuring vendors who use local produce, a "Sweet Street" for desserts and treats, and a "Craft & Cask" corner for local brewers and artisans. This creates a journey of discovery for visitors.

• Embrace Variety: Cater to modern tastes. Alongside the classic burgers and hot dogs, ensure you have high-quality coffee, gourmet options, and choices for dietary needs like vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. A diverse offering makes everyone feel welcome.

• Champion Local Flavour: Make your fair a showcase for the region. Actively seek out the best local food trucks, bakeries, and producers. This builds community spirit and gives your event a unique identity that can't be replicated.

2. Optimise the Attendee Experience

A happy, comfortable visitor is a visitor who stays longer and spends more. Focus on removing friction and adding delight.

• Go Cashless & Contactless: Long queues are a killer. Mandating or providing support for contactless payments at every stand is one of the single biggest improvements you can make. It’s faster, more secure, and what customers now expect.

• Digital Wayfinding: A large fairground can be confusing. Use simple QR codes at key entrances and points to link to a mobile-friendly digital map that shows every vendor, toilet facilities, and event schedules.

• Create "Dwell Zones": Don't let people wander aimlessly with their food. Invest in comfortable seating areas. Think shaded spots, picnic benches, and clean, well-maintained rest areas. This encourages people to relax, recharge, and perhaps go for a second round of food or drinks.

3. Turn a Crowd into Your Customers

Here's the most powerful shift in thinking: How can you, the organiser, actively help your vendors sell more? Your success is intrinsically linked to theirs. If they have a great year, they'll be lining up to come back.

What if you could give every single attendee a reason to visit more stalls and spend more money, all while feeling rewarded for it?

This is where a simple piece of modern technology can revolutionise your event.

Introducing: The County Fair Digital Stamp Card

Imagine a loyalty program not for a single stall, but for the entire fair. With STAMP by meed, you can create a single, digital stamp card for every visitor.

Here’s how it works:

1. You, the organiser, create one "County Fair Stamp Card" on the meed platform. The reward is something you control, like "Collect 5 stamps from any vendor and get a free ticket to next year's fair" or "Collect 7 stamps and enter our grand prize draw."

2. Every vendor gets access to the free meed App. This allows them to issue stamps from their own phone or tablet.

3. Visitors scan a QR code at the gate to instantly add the official Fair Pass to their mobile wallet.

4. As they make purchases throughout the day, each vendor can scan their pass to add a stamp.

This simple system is a win for everyone.

• For Visitors: It’s a fun game. It encourages them to explore the whole site and rewards them for their overall spending, not just their loyalty to one stall.

• For Vendors: It's a huge value-add. They're part of a unified incentive program that they don't have to manage or pay for. It gives them a reason to engage customers: "You only need two more stamps to win!"

• For You, the Organiser: You create a powerful reason for vendors to choose your event, drive up total concession sales, and create an engaging experience that brings people back year after year.

By combining thoughtful curation with smart, simple technology, you can ensure your county fair remains a beloved—and highly successful—tradition for years to come.

Contact us if you want to use meed for your next County Fair or Event.