Puyallup Fair neighbors cashing in on parking shortage
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- With bright signs, and a little flair, Launa Patterson is a pro at getting people to park on her yard near the Puyallup Fair.
She's making money each time someone stops in.
"It does not hurt to have extra money, ever," she said.
For 17 days, people willing to share their yards can earn extra cash during the fair, which draws about 1 million people each year.
The Puyallup Fair has their own lots and their prices are set. But the thing with the people running their own is they can adjust the prices and go up or down according to demand.
"We know that we don't have adequate parking during fair time to have everyone park in fair lots," said Karen LaFlamme, Puyallup Fair spokeswoman.
But there's no parking war between the fair and its neighbors. Before the fair kicks off, the Puyallup Fair meets with the city and people with lots to make sure everyone understands the laws and codes.
"We know that it's helping them out as well, so it's really a win win all the way around," LaFlamme said.
Aside from cheaper prices on some lots, Patterson says there's always someone watching your car.
"We do supervised parking, so we stay here all day," she said. "They know that nobody's going to come by and break into their car. It's not going to get scratched and dented and nobody notices."
She's making money each time someone stops in.
"It does not hurt to have extra money, ever," she said.
For 17 days, people willing to share their yards can earn extra cash during the fair, which draws about 1 million people each year.
The Puyallup Fair has their own lots and their prices are set. But the thing with the people running their own is they can adjust the prices and go up or down according to demand.
"We know that we don't have adequate parking during fair time to have everyone park in fair lots," said Karen LaFlamme, Puyallup Fair spokeswoman.
But there's no parking war between the fair and its neighbors. Before the fair kicks off, the Puyallup Fair meets with the city and people with lots to make sure everyone understands the laws and codes.
"We know that it's helping them out as well, so it's really a win win all the way around," LaFlamme said.
Aside from cheaper prices on some lots, Patterson says there's always someone watching your car.
"We do supervised parking, so we stay here all day," she said. "They know that nobody's going to come by and break into their car. It's not going to get scratched and dented and nobody notices."
This is old news. My grandparents lived one block from the fair and the whole family would help with parking cars and it gave them extra money they needed. If you live in Puyallup or close to the fair then you know that you will have to put up with alot of stuff during those days, even if it is just the traffic, you should get some perks for putting up with it all.
Hmmm....I remember parking in individual's front yards when my father's '68 Mustang was only 10 years old. News would be, "Homeowners grow tired of providing parking, so no parking at fair available".
If you are going to hire transplants to report the news please make sure they understand what IS and ISN"T news...this has been going on for at least 50 years...sigh as a WA Native I am so tired of the "news" I hear about Bumbershoot or SeaFair or the Puyallup Fair.......
 @Renton Native No kidding! I read the headline thinking, "And...??!"  Not news,  Elizabeth Dinh.
I know if I lived down there, I'd do the same thing! Â
why is this news. it's been going on for at least 50 years that i know of. Â you got some newbie on the staff...
This has been going on for years. Why is it suddenly news?
I wonder if these people offering their land as parking spots, claim this on their income tax returns? (sorry the tax accountant in me always goes there first)
I've been going to the fair every year for the last 46 years! The "neighbors" have ALWAYS offered parking on their lawns. However, some of them cram vehicles in so tight, it's really tough to get out.
Â
For the last few years, I've given up on the high prices to park ANYWHERE around the fair grounds and to sit in traffic to and from. Instead, I choose to ride the bus. Took one today. Cost = $2. Bus stop was 2 blocks away. On a great sunny day, it was fine to walk. If the bus is in traffic, no worries. Just bring a magazine to read or take a bit of a snooze.
This is news? For as long as I can remember, neighbors around the Puyallup Fair have offered the lawns and driveways for parking. Much safer too since there is always someone right there watching your vehicle.
 @Tattooed_Angel ...that would be correct. I only go to the fair once every five to seven years, but I have probably always parked on a lawn, as far back as 30 years ago....must be news to KOMO, or just something they pulled out of the recycle bin.
 Eye am at da faire all daze. This is an info commercial because attendance is very low. The prices inside are outrageous.  Roasted corn over four dollars. Pulled Pork sandwich over seven dollars. Elephant ears six dollars seventy five cents. pack in your own food or get your hand stamped and walk to jack in the Box,taco Bell,or the small family owned burger joint.
What a new concept...lol!
Great plan for bucks. Now everyone should keep in mind that our kids should be left the hell alone at their juice stands and stuff too, right?
Looks like a smart idea to me!
Â
Obama's health care tax thugs are going to make these land owners pay... if they take in more than 600 bucks, they better be filing their tax returns! Occupiers are also going to be all over this -- these people are taking advantage of their position, and making a profit !!! How dare they! (sarcasm)
So where are the permits?
If you can fit more than (i believe) 20 cars on your property, then yes you need a permit. The smaller lots don't require them.
whoops, 15 cars
 @Zoso ...permits? permits?? We don't need no stinkin' permits!!
What some people fail to realize is two things:
1) The city puts up No Parking signs almost everywhere near the fair, which forces people to park in the paid lots or on someone's lawn. Â (Thankfully I know where the free parking still is down there.)
2) In the areas where there still is free parking, residents will park their cars on the street, which in turn reduces the amount of "free" spaces and forces people to park on lawns.
 @ignax00 I know too where to park and ride with the bus.
 @ignax00 ....there's a reason I haven't been back down there in years.....
 @ignax00 ....the fact that they park their own vehicles on the street means they're just being smart business people...even if they......no wait, wont say that..
 @Sydthepiper Bingo.  The KOMO pic says it all.  You can see that dumpy, piece of junk car with the camper/trailer right behind it parked on the street.  You and I both know that that isn't parked there day in and day out if they have room to "rent" space to fair-goers.
 @NotPCatall Who said anything about having a problem with the fair? My point to @ignax00 was that for all the hassle and inconvenience the neighbors of the fair put up with, what's the harm in allowing the residents to park a few cars on their lawns and make a little extra money off it?Â
As for the diet coke reference, I'm assuming this is some sad attempt at a thinly-veiled insult. Kudos. I'd ask you to come down off your high horse to discuss the issue further, but I'll probably have to charge you double to park it on my lawn.
@Oroborusgirl take a chill pill and wash it down with your usual 2 liter of diet coke. no one is angry, you are being too sensitive. btw, you have problem with the fair ground, MOVE.
@ignax00 @Sydthepiper RESPECT THE PROWLER!
@ignax00 Why are you so upset that the neighbors around the fair make a few extra bucks off of the 17 days of inconveniences they put up with? Any local resident of the downtown area can tell you what a pain in the rear the influx of fair-goers cause. Trash left on our lawns, people parking on the street blocking our driveways, horrid traffic, and noise from boisterous fair-goers late into the night are just the tip of the iceberg. I've even had people walk down my driveway and into my backyard late at night claiming they "thought it was an alley."
 What's so bad about letting my kids park a couple cars on the lawn so they have a little extra cash to blow at the fair? As for the "piece of junk car with the camper/trailer right behind it," if they were causing problems or parked on the street too long, the local police would have them towed. Sadly, the police are not as quick to tow the fair-goers' cars that have blocked our driveways, preferring to ticket our out-of-town guests and leaving we local residents to find parking on the streets blocks away from out homes. (Totally awesome when returning home with a trunkload of groceries.)
Â
.....what is this?? Residents allowed to make a buck on their own, and a city, county, and wait for it.......our D-State is NOT imposing a tax on said homeowners?? I have GOT to wake up from what ever dreamworld I'm in right now......
@Sydthepiper -Â Now that you've brought it up, here's the new DOR slogan:
Â
"S-h-h-h.....be vewy vewy quite.....we're hunting wabbits, heheheheheheheh"
 @Sydthepiper Yeah, why do I get the feeling that govt has their hand in there somewhere. Cant believe they would allow someone to make tax free money...
What are the parking prices at the Puyallup Fairgrounds?
 @komosux $10 during the week, $12.50 on weekends.
What?! People open up their yards for parking during the fair??! It's too bad I NEVER knew about this concept until now. I have lived in the area my entire 29 years and have tried to experience the fair, but every year we always end up having to turn around when we get there because there's no parking available in the fairground lots. Thank you so much Komo for pointing out this news to me!
This comment has been deleted
 @Marcin Ludowicz  @gimme_coffee Exactly....this is news?
 @gimme_coffee  @anon4444 Must be slow news day in Seattle. No drive by shootings, no drug busts, etc...
 @anon4444 I think this article reaches an all time low as far as newsworthiness for Komo (that I've seen anyways). Hence the highly sarcastic response.
 @Marcin Ludowicz I believe you completely missed the sarcasm...
Does no one visit Puyallup after the fair is over? I think they need to create a larger parking lot or a building.
 @skulls98040 Have YOU ever visited Puyallup? They have several large lots. They just occasionally don't hold everybody. Some people would rather pay a little less for parking and walk further. The last thing they need to do is pave over any more land or put up a parking garage that won't be used most of the year. We are only talking 17 days in September...
This is newsworthy because??? I live in Puyallup. There's plenty of (free) parking just way too many lazy people unwilling to park where they might have to walk a few extra blocks. Plus Blindman the City of Puyallup only requires you to get a business license where you have space for 15+ cars. http://www.cityofpuyallup.org/visitors/parking/puyallup-fair-parking/providing-fair-event-parking/
 @nicole:Â
Not everybody CAN walk "a few extra blocks".
Â
I have gone to the fair a couple of times since becoming a BKA in 2009 - if there is no handicapped parking spots in the Fair's lots, I have to turn around and try to find a spot elsewhere. If I can't, I simply go home.
Â
Also, there are people who may not have a handicapped placard yet cannot walk the distance as well.
Â
Please do not assume that people are lazy. MANY have legitimate reasons for wanting to be able to park as close as possible.
 @Nicole Ah, there is a catch. Knew there had to be...Funny that wasn't included in the article...
I'd be more concerned about insurance if I used my own property to house cars. I wouldn't want someone suing me for damages to their vehicle, theft, etc.
And they probably don't have business licenses either. Oh the horror.