Fair attendance down slightly due to weather, events
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
Wet weather is partly to blame for lower attendance at this year’s Fayette County Fair.
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
This file photo shows the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Dunbar Township.
Constant improvement is the goal of the Fayette County Fair Board, but there are some things that no manner of planning will ever change.
“The weather definitely was not on our side this year. We were down by about 4,000 attendance,” said Bill Jackson, president of the Fayette County Fair Board.
Jackson said the attendance over the 10 days of the fair was around 88,000.
“There were other things that made the news that affected things and we will be discussing those. The fair board hasn’t met to discuss anything yet,” Jackson said.
Because of rain, fireworks for the first Sunday of the fair were postponed until Thursday night, going off just after a rodeo competition. One of the rodeo horses broke loose and was struck on Route 119 and killed.
Jackson said the fireworks were not meant to be scheduled the same day as the rodeo and will most likely never be held on the same day again. He said the fair board will be looking into additional measures to keep all animals at the fair secured.
“You do what you can to make it better for everyone,” Jackson said.
One participant was injured during motocross races, Jackson said, but noted that the sport is inherently dangerous and injuries occur even among experienced riders such as those who participated in the event during the fair.
“The track was in great shape,” Jackson said.
Jackson said one of the midway carnival employees was injured in a fight and required medical attention and another was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
“Fights unfortunately at events of this size are going to break out, but we have a pretty good security team,” Jackson said. “I think we have as good a carnival as any. Unfortunately, the size the of the event, things happen. It seems this year we had more than our share.”
According to the state police, this year’s fair went well, with only a few minor incidents during the course of the event that turned the fairgrounds into the equivalent of a large borough or small city in Fayette County each day.
“The nights when the weather was good, we had great crowds. The public in general supports the fair,” Jackson said. “We had strong participation in all areas, as far as I’m aware.”
Jackson said the fair board will be getting together within the next few weeks.
“After the fair we always try to assess the fair and see how we can improve it,” Jackson said.