Editing 1964 New York World's Fair (section)

=== 1964 season ===
==== Opening ====
[[File:US NY NYC 1964-65 Worlds Fair Belgian Village (processed 06-1965) 28 CE Family Coll (51903556916).jpg|thumb|The Belgian Village was not completed until the end of the 1964 season.<ref name="Samuel p. 43"/>|alt=A crowded street with low-rise buildings and trees.]]

The WFC did not host official press previews in the weeks before the official opening, though several exhibitors hosted previews of their pavilions.<ref name=p964068615>{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|964068615}} |title=N.Y. World's Fair Opening 'Cold'; Exhibitions to Set Their Own Parties |last=Green |first=Abel |volume=233 |issue=11 |date=Feb 5, 1964 |pages=1, 18 |magazine=Variety}}</ref> The night before the fair opened, the television series ''[[The Bell Telephone Hour]]'' broadcast an opening celebration.<ref name="Samuel pp. 30–31">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=30–31}}</ref> When the World's Fair officially opened at 9:00&nbsp;am on April 22, 1964,<ref name="The Sun 1964" /><ref name="Samuel p. 32; Tirella p. 188">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|page=32}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=188}}</ref> the first visitor was a college student from New Jersey.<ref name="Samuel p. 32; Tirella p. 188" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Spiegler |first1=William |last2=Molotsky |first2=Irv |date=April 22, 1964 |title=Jersey Student, 18, Is First Through Fair Turnstiles |work=Newsday |page=4 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914371873}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 22, 1964 |title=5 College Men Are First in Line at World's Fair |work=Chicago Tribune |page=2 |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|179440004}}}}</ref> The opening was celebrated with speeches by Robert Moses, [[Nelson Rockefeller]], and the U.S. president [[Lyndon B. Johnson]].<ref name="The Sun 1964" /><ref>{{cite web |date=22 April 1964 |title=Remarks at the Opening of the New York World's fair |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-the-opening-the-new-york-worlds-fair |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=The American Presidency Project}}</ref> The same day, Johnson dedicated the [[United States Pavilion]],<ref>{{cite web |date=22 April 1964 |title=Remarks at the United States Pavilion, New York World's Fair |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-the-united-states-pavilion-new-york-worlds-fair |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=The American Presidency Project |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |title=Shouts Mar Johnson's Talk at Pavilion |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |date=April 23, 1964 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/23/archives/shouts-mar-johnsons-talk-at-pavilion.html |access-date=June 18, 2024}}</ref> while Rockefeller and Moses dedicated the New York State Pavilion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 24, 1964 |title=State Wins Praise for Fair Pavilion; Governor and Moses Urge It as Permanent Part of Flushing Meadow Park |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/24/archives/state-wins-praise-for-fair-pavilion-governor-and-moses-urge-it-as.html |access-date=May 15, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516004853/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/24/archives/state-wins-praise-for-fair-pavilion-governor-and-moses-urge-it-as.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the opening ceremonies, hundreds of civil-rights activists organized a sit-in and were arrested.<ref>{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=34}}</ref><ref name="The Sun 1964">{{Cite news |date=April 23, 1964 |title=World's Fair Opens To Picketing; Stall-In Fails: Johnson Foresees Global Peace Soon Rain, Racial Troubles Keep Crowd To 90,000; More Than 290 Integrationists Seized |work=The Sun |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|540050678}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 23, 1964 |title=Rain Soaks Crowd; Sit-Ins Mar Festivities at Some Pavilions—Attendance Cut |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/23/archives/rain-soaks-crowd-sitins-mar-festivities-at-some-pavilionsattendance.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514000810/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/23/archives/rain-soaks-crowd-sitins-mar-festivities-at-some-pavilionsattendance.html |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The civil-rights group [[Congress of Racial Equality]] (CORE) proposed a "stall-in" to block roads leading to the fair,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 7, 1964 |title=CORE Chapter Plans A Drive-In To Stall World's Fair Opening: Brooklyn Group Says Proposed Traffic Tie-Up, April 22, Will Spotlight Civil Rights Fight |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=6 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|132950770}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=April 10, 1964 |title=CORE Maps Tie-up on Roads to Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/10/core-maps-tieup-on-roads-to-fair.html |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531192224/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/10/core-maps-tieup-on-roads-to-fair.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Samuel pp. 27–28; Tirella pp. 81–82">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|pages=27–28}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=81–82}}</ref> but few activists participated.<ref name="The Sun 1964" /><ref name="Tirella h843">{{cite web |last=Tirella |first=Joseph |date=April 22, 2014 |title=Fifty Years Ago Today, Rogue Civil Rights Activists Tried to Ruin Robert Moses' Greatest Triumph |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/04/cores-1964-stall-in-the-planned-civil-rights-protest-that-kept-thousands-away-from-the-worlds-fair-in-new-york.html |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Slate Magazine |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110015345/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/04/cores-1964-stall-in-the-planned-civil-rights-protest-that-kept-thousands-away-from-the-worlds-fair-in-new-york.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The opening ceremony attracted 90,000 attendees, fewer than half of the predicted number,<ref name="The Sun 1964" /> in part due to inclement weather.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 23, 1964 |title=N. Y. Fair Debut Gets Foul Deal From Weather: Fair Opening Day Ardor Chilled by Clammy Rain |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=1, 7 |volume=108 |issue=81 |id={{ProQuest|1565239518}}}}</ref>  The WFC banned picketing on the grounds, prompting lawsuits from civil-rights groups;<ref name="Samuel pp. 36–37">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=36–37}}</ref> a federal judge later ruled protesters could give out handbills to passers-by.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 11, 1964 |title=Federal Court Allows 'Rights' Action at World's Fair: Groups May Pass Out Handbills on Protest |work=New Pittsburgh Courier |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|371626195}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 2, 1964 |title=Rights Picket Ban by Fair is Upheld; But Court Rules Handbills, May Be Given Out There |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/02/archives/righs-picket-ban-by-fair-is-upheld-but-court-rules-handbills-may-be.html |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608142454/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/02/archives/righs-picket-ban-by-fair-is-upheld-but-court-rules-handbills-may-be.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[The New York Times]]'' reported fifteen pavilions and three amusement attractions were not finished by opening day.<ref name="nyt-1964-04-22a">{{Cite news |date=April 22, 1964 |title=15% Of the Fair Still Unfinished; 15 Pavilions and 3 Shows in Amusement Area Delayed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/22/archives/15-of-the-fair-still-unfinished-15-pavilions-and-3-shows-in.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603175006/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/22/archives/15-of-the-fair-still-unfinished-15-pavilions-and-3-shows-in.html |url-status=live}}</ref> One pavilion, the Belgian Village, was not completed until the end of the 1964 season,<ref name="Samuel p. 43">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=43}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Long |first=Tania |date=October 17, 1964 |title=Belgian Village Finished at Last: Medieval 'City' Just in Time for World's Fair Closing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/17/archives/belgian-village-finished-at-last-medieval-city-just-in-time-for.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=29 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|115921553}} |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603210802/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/17/archives/belgian-village-finished-at-last-medieval-city-just-in-time-for.html |url-status=live}}</ref> though it did operate for part of that year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1964 |title=Belgium Village Upsets Neighbors; Fair Concessionaires Fear New Loss of Business |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/31/archives/belgium-village-upsets-neighbors-fair-concessionaires-fear-new-loss.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602225119/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/31/archives/belgium-village-upsets-neighbors-fair-concessionaires-fear-new-loss.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Some pavilions could not open on schedule because artifacts in the pavilions had been damaged<ref>{{cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=April 17, 1964 |title=Lebanese Treasures Damaged; Pavilion at Fair to Be Delayed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/17/archives/lebanese-treasures-damaged-pavilion-at-fair-to-be-delayed.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=22 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|115757755}} |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603175000/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/17/archives/lebanese-treasures-damaged-pavilion-at-fair-to-be-delayed.html |url-status=live}}</ref> or were incomplete.<ref name="McPherson 1964">{{cite news |last=McPherson |first=William |date=April 19, 1964 |title=World's Fair Will Open Wednesday: What It Will Cost To Visit the Fair |work=The Washington Post, Times Herald |page=A32 |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|142281829}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1964-04-22a" /> Exhibitors also accused workers of delaying some pavilions' construction to collect [[overtime]] pay.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 17, 1964 |title=Workmen Accused Of Lagging at Fair To Raise Overtime |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/17/archives/workmen-accused-of-lagging-at-fair-to-raise-overtime.html |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601041848/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/17/archives/workmen-accused-of-lagging-at-fair-to-raise-overtime.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Three incomplete pavilions were abandoned,<ref name="McPherson 1964" /> and work on other pavilions continued for several months after the opening.<ref name="Samuel p. 43" /> The rich and famous, including government officials and heads of state, visited the fairground in the weeks after it opened.<ref name="Samuel pp. 39–40">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=39–40}}</ref><ref name="Tirella pp. 207–208">{{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=207–208}}</ref>

====May to October====
[[File:6405 NY World's Fair 3 1964 (51190488619).jpg|alt=A huge, skeletal, globe-like structure representing Earth dominates a concrete plaza with trees and a bus, and a futuristic building rises in the background.|thumb|Looking south from the [[Unisphere]] toward the [[New York State Pavilion]]]]

The fair needed 220,000 daily visitors to recover its operating expenses of $300,000 per day.<ref name="Caro p. 1102" /> In its first week, the fair recorded nearly a million visitors,<ref name="Samuel p. 38">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=38}}</ref> and 150,000 daily visitors—60 percent of initial projections—in the first month.<ref name="Los Angeles Times 1964">{{cite news |date=May 24, 1964 |title=World's Fair Plagued by Lack of Customers |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=D18 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|168563620}}}}</ref> Several problems arose;<ref name="Samuel p. 422" /><ref name="Schwartz 1964">{{cite news |last=Schwartz |first=Jock |date=September 30, 1964 |title=The Fair: Review and Preview |work=Newsday |page=1C |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914374708}}}}</ref> disputes occurred over labor unions,<ref name="Samuel p. 422" /><ref name="nyt-1964-06-27">{{Cite news |date=June 27, 1964 |title=Fair Moves to Counter Bad Publicity |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/27/archives/fair-moves-to-counter-bad-publicity.html |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> maintenance fees,<ref name="Samuel p. 422" /><ref>{{cite news |date=June 22, 1964 |title=Labor Costs Stir Storm at World's Fair: World's Fair Labor Costs Stir Up Storm |work=Chicago Tribune |page=1 |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|179492570}}}}</ref> and a mural in the Jordan pavilion.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 10, 1964 |title=Jordan Pavilion Wins Legal Fight on Mural |work=Newsday |page=11 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|964283452}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 10, 1964 |title=Court Dismisses 2 Suits Against Jordan Mural; Finds No Legal Basis to Ban Work at Fair Attacked as Derogatory to Israel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/10/archives/court-dismisses-2-suits-against-jordan-mural-finds-no-legal-basis.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel pp. 53–54">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=53–54}}</ref> Thefts and breakdowns regularly occurred.<ref name="Samuel pp. 45–46">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=45–46}}</ref> Exhibitors complained about high rental rates and insufficient maintenance of the fairground.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 22, 1964 |title=High Costs Anger Pavilions at Fair; Protest Planned; Official to Hear Complaints of Industrial Group on Maintenance Rates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/22/archives/high-costs-ange-pavilions-at-fair-protest-planned-official-to-hear.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>  The Lake Amusement Area was especially unprofitable;<ref name="nyt-1964-08-01" /><ref name="Tirella pp. 235–236">{{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=235–236}}</ref> it had few attractions and was difficult to access.<ref name="Los Angeles Times 1964" /><ref name="Samuel pp. 46–47">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=46–47}}</ref> Many of the most-popular exhibits charged an additional fee, and visitors often did not bring enough money for food or for high-priced exhibits.<ref name="Samuel p. 49">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=49}}</ref>

The WFC unsuccessfully attempted to entice visitors by offering discounts to taxi drivers and improving fairground lighting,<ref name="Samuel pp. 46–47" /> and the WFC was planning promotional campaigns by the end of June.<ref name="nyt-1964-06-27" /> The [[J. Walter Thompson]] Company advertised the fair in New York City–area media.<ref name="nyt-1964-08-07">{{Cite news |date=August 7, 1964 |title='Parable' Draws Crowds at Fair; Disputed Film Helps to Pay for Protestant Center |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/07/archives/parable-draws-crowds-at-fair-disputed-film-helps-to-pay-for.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By mid-1964, some exhibitors had gone out of business,<ref name="Tirella pp. 235–236" /><ref name="Samuel pp. 47–48">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=47–48}}</ref> including the two largest shows in the Lake Amusement Area.<ref name="nyt-1964-07-27">{{Cite news |date=July 27, 1964 |title=Last 2 Big Shows at Fair Go Dark; 'Ice-Travaganza' and Texas Pavilion Crowds Scarce |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/27/archives/last-2-big-shows-at-fair-go-dark-icetravaganza-and-texas-pavilion.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Employees, especially the 4,000 college students who worked the fair, faced [[occupational burnout]].<ref name="Samuel pp. 50–51">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=50–51}}</ref> Despite the troubles, the WFC was able to buy back one quarter of its promissory notes in mid-1964,<ref>{{cite news |date=June 30, 1964 |title=World's Fair Will Pay Off Some Notes Ahead of Time |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=6 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|132943218}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 30, 1964 |title=25% Of Fair's Debt to Be Paid Early; Reduction Aug. 1 Attributed to Advance Sale of Tickets |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/30/archives/25-of-fairs-debt-to-be-paid-early-reduction-aug-1-attributed-to.html |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 54">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=54}}</ref> and to attract visitors, exhibitors publicly downplayed their grievances with the WFC.<ref name="nyt-1964-07-04">{{Cite news |date=July 4, 1964 |title=Bad News Upsets Fair's Exhibitors; They Are Shifting Attitude on Their Own Complaints |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/04/archives/bad-news-upsets-fairs-exhibitors-they-are-shifting-attitude-on.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The industrial and international pavilions were more profitable than the amusement area,<ref name="Schmedel 1964">{{cite news |last=Schmedel |first=Scott R. |date=September 23, 1964 |title=World's Fair Payoff: Corporate Exhibitors Score Triumphs Though Festival Has Problems |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=1 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|132905305}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=July 14, 1964 |title=Lights Are Shining at The Fair For Foreign Exhibitors There |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=17 |volume=109 |issue=9 |id={{ProQuest|1565178184}}}}</ref> whose financial troubles did not bother Moses.<ref name="nyt-1964-08-01">{{Cite news |date=August 1, 1964 |title=Moses Shrugs Off Low Crowds And Folding Shows at the Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/01/archives/moses-shrugs-off-low-crowds-and-folding-shows-at-the-fair.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The fair had difficulty attracting more than 200,000 daily visitors, even during July and August when students were on [[Summer vacation|summer break]].<ref name="Caro p. 1102" /> The fair recorded 13.4&nbsp;million visitors by the season's midpoint in July 1964,<ref name="nyt-1964-07-21">{{Cite news |date=July 21, 1964 |title=News Analysis; Fair's Halfway Mark; Attendance Is Below Expectations but Visitors and Bondholders Are Happy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/21/archives/news-analysis-fairs-halfway-mark-attendance-is-below-expectations.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="The Hartford Courant 1964">{{cite news |date=July 22, 1964 |title=Failure, Success Mixed In $Billion World's Fair |work=The Hartford Courant |page=2 |issn=1047-4153 |id={{ProQuest|548447209}}}}</ref> and it received 5.8&nbsp;million visitors that August, the highest of any month during the 1964 season.<ref name="Samuel pp. 56–57">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=56–57}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1964-08-31">{{Cite news |date=August 31, 1964 |title=Fair Attendance Climbs in August; 5.8 Million Paid Admissions Expected by Tomorrow |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/31/archives/fair-attendance-climbs-in-august-58-million-paid-admissions.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Nearly half of visitors came from the New York City area,<ref name="Samuel pp. 56–57" /> and prospective visitors expressed fears about crime and unrest.<ref name="Samuel pp. 56–57; Tirella pp. 234–235">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|pages=56–57}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=234–235}}</ref>  Attendance declined significantly in September<ref name="Schmedel 1964" /><ref name="The Hartford Courant 1964" /> when children returned to school.<ref name="Samuel p. 57">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=57}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 12, 1964 |title=Post-Labor Day Doldrums Bring Sudden End to Fair's Long Lines |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/09/12/archives/postlabor-day-doldrums-bring-sudden-end-to-fairs-long-lines.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In response, Moses said journalists were tarnishing the fair's reputation<ref name="Samuel p. 57" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 15, 1964 |title=Moses Upbraids Foes of the Fair; 'Sharpshooters' Attacked in Address to Publishers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/09/15/archives/moses-upbraids-foes-of-the-fair-sharpshooters-attacked-in-address.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and accused them of suppressing attendance.<ref name="Samuel p. 57" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Long |first=Tania |date=October 15, 1964 |title=Moses Says Press Harmed the Fair: 'Tricks' of Journalism Are Blamed for Cut in Crowds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/16/archives/fair-planning-for-65-season-as-it-approaches-hibernation.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=18 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|115617892}}}}</ref> An exhibitors' committee made several recommendations for increasing attendance but Moses rejected nearly all of them.<ref name="Tirella p. 268">{{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=268}}</ref>

The fair closed for the season on October 18, 1964.<ref name="nyt-1964-10-19a">{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1964 |title=Young Employes Say Farewells Gather to Reminisce on Six Months at Fair — Few Expecting to Return |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/19/archives/young-employes-say-farewells-gather-to-reminisce-on-six-months-at.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516194354/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/19/archives/young-employes-say-farewells-gather-to-reminisce-on-six-months-at.html |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=Cassidy |first=Joseph |date=October 19, 1964 |title=Fair's Last Day Draws Crowd |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fairs-last-day-draws-crowd/147511723/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516195531/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fairs-last-day-draws-crowd/147511723/ |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |pages=67  |issn=2692-1251}}</ref><ref name="Hornaday 1964">{{cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Mary |date=October 19, 1964 |title=N.Y. World's Fair Closes on Gay Note: Financial Arrangement |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=7 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510663645}}}}</ref> There had been 33 million visitors, including 27&nbsp;million who paid admission.<ref name="Hornaday 1964" /><ref name="Variety 1964">{{cite magazine |date=October 21, 1964 |title=N.Y. World's Fair: Fair's 27,100,000 Gate NSG; 'Wait 'Til Next Year' |magazine=Variety |pages=62, 66 |volume=236 |issue=9 |id={{ProQuest|962979014}}}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' cited several reasons for the reduced attendance figures; these included fears of crime, lengthy queues, and high prices.<ref name="Alden 1964">{{cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=October 18, 1964 |title=Fair Appraises Its First Season And Finds It Relatively Good |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/18/archives/fair-appraises-its-first-season-and-finds-it-relatively-good-major.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=83 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|115545985}}}}</ref> The WFC had significantly overpaid several contractors,<ref name="Caro p. 1089">{{harvnb|Caro|1974|ps=.|page=1089}}</ref><ref name="Caro 1965">{{cite news |last=Caro |first=Robert A. |date=March 15, 1965 |title=Portent for the Fair: 1 Wrong Move: Newsday Closeup |work=Newsday |page=5 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914436877}}}}</ref> and the fair's operating expenditures during 1964 amounted to $33.3&nbsp;million, twice the original budget.<ref name="Caro p. 1089" /> Moses had projected a $53&nbsp;million surplus, but the surplus stood at only $12.6&nbsp;million at season's end, barely enough to pay back the city government.<ref name="nyt-1964-10-14">{{Cite news |date=October 14, 1964 |title=Fair's 1964 Profit Below Estimate; Costs Found High; Attendance Also Cuts Net to Indicated $12.6 Million—Moses Is Hopeful |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/14/archives/fairs-1964-profit-below-estimate-costs-found-high-attendance-also.html |access-date=May 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 58">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=58}}</ref> The WFC reduced its estimated total profit for both seasons to $30&nbsp;million.<ref name="Variety 1964" /> Despite the financial problems, many industrial pavilions had long queues and tens of thousands of daily visitors,<ref name="Schmedel 1964" /><ref name="Alden 1964" /> and the [[General Motors]] and [[Vatican City|Vatican]] pavilions each saw more than 10 million visitors during 1964.<ref name="Samuel p. 54" /> ''The New York Times'' reported many international exhibitors were pleased with the fair but wanted someone else to operate it.<ref name="nyt-1964-10-19b">{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1964 |title=Exhibitors Hoping For Many Changes In Second Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/19/archives/exhibitors-hoping-for-many-changes-in-second-season.html |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>