Participation level:

Medium (Opinions noted)

Innovation level:

High (Innovative)

Facilitator skill level, and other support required:

High (Specialist skills)
Medium (Computer & other expertise)

Can be used for:

Showcase product, plan, policy
Engage community
Discover community issues
Communicate an issue

Community fairs provide a fun venue that will draw a crowd of all ages and backgrounds, and then use many different ways to inform and engage the participants on a community issue.

The community fair will raise awareness of an issue or proposal, and provide a venue for collecting contact details and getting signatories to any submissions or alternate proposals. (See the case study linked at the end of the page; a proposal was opposed on environmental grounds, and the community fair was a focal point for raising public awareness).

Focuses public attention on an issue.
Can create interest from media groups and lead to increased coverage of the issue.
Allows for different levels of information sharing.
Builds social capital, that is, people who are more willing and able to participate in community decision-making and management.

The public must be motivated to attend.
Fairs can be expensive to do well.
The project's reputation can be damaged if the fair is not done well.(IAP2)

Organizing Community Fair

How many people to organize?

Medium (2-12 people)

Time required:

Medium (6 weeks-6 months)
Short (< 6 weeks)

Cost:

High (> AUD$10,000)
Medium (AUD$1,000-AUD$10,000)

Select a date and venue that will encourage the greatest number of participants to attend (generally weekends or public holidays). Liaise with key groups to avoid clashes.
Arrange for a number of activities and events of interest to various groups in the community (i.e. all ages, children, young people, adults, the elderly)
Provide low cost or free activities (rides, sausage sizzles etc.) to encourage attendance.
Advertise and publicise the event with emphasis on the issue to be considered. Advertise starting and closing times.
Provide adequate staffing and consider the employment of volunteers.
Determine appropriate consultative activities for the fair. Organise the necessary duty of care and insurance issues.
Consider employment of an events manager.
Develop a plan of the site, and ensure all those participating know where they are to go. Consider some form of marking out sites (tape or stakes).
Prepare a traffic plan for trucks/cars etcetera, including a site for parking.
Allow adequate time for setting up.
On the day, ensure that coordinators circulate to assist participants to focus on the major issue and to Facilitate Participation.