Revenue from the 2003 Fair was down roughly $35,000 from the year before, stemming largely from a drop in proceeds from the 4-H cafe sale, reported the Agricultural Society on Monday night at their annual meeting.

According to the financial reports ending on Oct. 31, revenue from the fair came in at $350,802, down from the 2002 total of $385,658.

There were nominal changes in most categories; for example, gate receipts came in at $34,405, comparable to the 2002 amount of $31,078.

Proceeds from the calf sale, however were down a full $39,000, to come in at $266,998.

On the other hand, expenses from the calf sale was also down considerably: in 2002, the sale cost $294,959, and the 2003 sale cost $256,719.

The revenue brought in this year from the 4-H calf sale was derived from 138 calves in the fed calf project, 67 heifers and 21 continuation heifers, for an average sale price of $1.64 per lb.

Richard Tollefson, who gave the report on the calf sale, said the results were surprisingly good, considering the state of the cattle industry at the time.

However, Tyler Metheral, who gave the parking and policing report, said the 4-H sale has created another problem that must be addressed: the issue of parties on the fair grounds.

Metheral said 4-H parties are drawing a lot of people who aren't supposed to be on the grounds, and they had received complaints from concerned and worried campers; a few people put up barricades at the agricultural building to keep the partiers out, he said.

Metheral said he was concerned about something going wrong or someone getting hurt, in which case they may be liable. The committee had discussed keeping security on watch throughout the night, rather than until late in the evening, to keep the partying under control.

Reports were also given on the different project entry categories, like junior work, home products, school work, household arts and so on.

The 2004 Weyburn Fair Days will be held July 5-7. Gate admissions will remain the same as the 2003 fair.

In other news, the plans for construction of the new grandstand are currently at City Hall and awaiting final approval by engineers.

Once that is given, construction will begin on the grandstand in the spring of 2004, including a roof if funds allow for it. According to the report by Rick Bell, proceeds for the grandstand is hovering around $180,000.

The Ag Society also debated the nature of their participation with the Weyburn Rodeo this year. Neal Keefe said, because the event is being held around the same time as the 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games, they are afraid that sponsorship dollars may be very scarce this year.

A motion was passed to leave the decision up to the rodeo committee on whether they would participate in the rodeo this year.

In upcoming events, the Ag Society is putting on a dinner theatre this year instead of the conventional Rural Urban night, in which interest has been dropping for the past few years.

The play, "Holding on by the Boot Straps," written by Jean Fahlman, will be presented in March as a dinner theatre, which will include some other entertainment.

The society is hoping to fill the cast with members. Auditions were held last night, Dec. 9, and one other night this week. Rehearsals start in January.

The society will also be holding a "Weyburn Idol" youth talent search in Weyburn for the Farm Home and Leisure Show, April 23-24, and during the Fair days as part of the grandstand shows.