By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – The Clallam County Parks and Recreation Department is working to bring the County Fair ticketing process into the 21st century.
Getting a ticket at the entrance to the fair has always been a cash-only enterprise, to the frustration of many who have become used to using a debit or credit for nearly everything.
An ATM was added near the entrance, but it runs out of cash, and keeping it full has been a challenge, because not all banks are open on weekends.
Parks Director Don Crawford this week proposed signing a 3-year agreement with Afton Tickets, Inc. to give fairgoers the option of using a debit or credit card at the ticket booth.
Maybe best of all, with the new system, Crawford says fairgoers will be able to purchase their tickets in advance.
“The big thing is preseason. We really want to work so people can get on their phone a week or two before the fair and buy their tickets online. That’s what’s fundamentally different between this and a point-of-sale system, like you would at a restaurant, is that we want to allow people to use their phones or use their computers at home to buy their tickets, and then just show up with a QR code to get scanned and get their wrist bands.”
Crawford proposed the idea to County Commissioners this week. He said it’s not a done deal yet, but he’s confident the details will be worked out by fair time.