Long lines, records set at the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo. Here’s what that means

By Tri-City Herald staff

Updated September 17, 2024 9:14 AM

Kennewick, WA

The 2024 Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo set a new record for crowds, thanks in part to cooler weather.

Lori Lancaster, executive director, said the 76th edition of the annual “Best Week of Summer” celebration was one for the books.

The 2024 fair was Aug. 20-24 at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Kennewick.

Here are a few key highlights:

Attendance: 123,547 (up from 112,250 in 2023)

Horse Heaven Round-up Reach: 42 million, courtesy live coverage by The Cowboy Channel:

Rotary Club Elephant Ears fried: 8,336

Market Stock Auction Proceeds: $1.44 million (+$100,000 and largest grossing event in Washington state)

Opening Day Ticket Sales Benefit for 2nd Harvest: $2,834.

Money Earned by Nonprofits and Service Clubs: $194,649

Scholarships for Youth Exhibitors and Participants: $10,000

Free Rides on Ben Franklin Transit: 24,214.

Fair Wages: 163 people worked directly for the fair with hundreds more employed by vendors and contractors.

Economic Impact: $20 million in Benton County (+$1.5M)

Aug. 19-23

This story was originally published September 17, 2024 at 5:00 AM.