Fairs > FAIR ASSISTANCE

USTA Fair Assistance Program

The USTA will help fund your promotions program for the harness racing at your fair!

The USTA's Fair Assistance Program, started in 2006 as the Matching Funds Grant program, assists individual county fairs, horsemen's associations and colt circuits to promote the harness racing at their fairs. Over the years, the USTA fairs department has developed additional programs and now there is $30,000 in total funding each year available through three programs:

1. Matching Funds Grant - up to $1,000 to each selected group to support a marketing/advertising campaign that promotes harness racing at the county fair level. Any advertising to promote the harness racing at your fair is eligible, including radio, newspaper, billboard, bus, gas station toppers, etc. as long as 75% of the ad is for harness racing. Selected applicants will receive one half of the awarded funding approximately one month after applications are due. The second half of the funding will be mailed once a satisfactory final report is received.

2. Promotional Item Reimbursement - up to $1,000 to each group, available on a first come/first served basis until the budget is spent, for items purchased as grandstand give-a-ways (mugs, bags, hats, etc.) that have a harness horse on it. These would be items purchased by the applying entity and then half of the cost, up to $1,000 will be reimbursed

3. Bulk Purchasing Program - the USTA will order certain items in bulk that groups can order for give-a-ways at their fair. These items are for sale from the USTA at 50% of the cost. Items will vary year-to-year.

Please note that each program has their own application or purchasing process. Be sure to use the correct form and supply the correct supporting documents. Fairs and horsemen's associations can apply for one, two or all three of the available programs.