It hasn’t even started and already, the 133rd Sunshine Fair is breaking records.
The box seat auction raised more than $15,000—a $3,100 increase over 2008’s.
Hits to the revised Fair website are as high as 1,600 a day on weekends, livestock premiums are up to $8,000, sponsorships have doubled, and when the gates open Friday, the event will make its longest run ever:
Nine days.
“The change to nine days is probably the biggest change ever in the history of the Fair,” said President Doug Cater.
“Most other Fairs can’t comprehend that we’re doing this.”
The ’09 Fair will run Friday, July 31-Saturday, August 8.
The change to the longer format is an effort to attract bigger musical acts like American Idol finalist Josh Gracin--8pm this Friday on the main stage—and the Powers Great American Midway, which arrived and began setting up Monday.
“It really got to the point where we realized we had to decide whether to stay where we were or move to a new level,” Mr. Cater said, “and everywhere I go, that’s all anyone wants to talk about.
“I haven’t seen this much enthusiasm and excitement in the 30 years I’ve been with the Fair.”
Even as the Powers Midway arrived, last minute work like paving was ongoing.
Other improvements, said Director Jack McNerney, have been made in the Hall of Agriculture, where hands-on attractions will include farm-related programs and demonstrations, exhibits by the Schoharie County Photo Club, the popular-with-kids corn pit, a store featuring all-local and Fair merchandise, and historical displays marking anniversaries for SUNY Cobleskill and the Boy Scouts.
Lois Goblet, another director, said the expanded Fair dates have made it possible to draw more participants for livestock events—including two teams of oxen who’ll be wandering the grounds throughout the day.
“We were really maxed out as far as space went,” Ms. Goblet said.
This year, different types of livestock will rotate in and out of the Fair, though there will be a few families from each who’ll be there all nine days.
“And we probably have the most pigs and piglets ever,” Ms. Goblet said. “They’re always a draw.”
The highlight of the livestock events will be Master Showman awards the final Saturday, August 8, when all 4-H participants will also be recognized.
The event will be followed by a pig roast and picnic.
This is also the first year the Fair will be going “green,”, Mr. Cater said; there will be solar displays and panels will power a handful of street lights.
In addition, all of the Powers rides will be powered by soy bean biodiesel.
New concessions will include a two-story ice cream booth, and in addition to the “thrill-seeking” midway, there will be Powers’ rides for the youngest set near the 4-H building.
A dozen six-horse draft horse teams are expected, the mules will be back, and the 4-H horse shows, now three days, will included educational demonstrations.
Entertainment will include the Johnny Cash tribute, back for the fourth year, as well as a Jimmy Buffet tribute Sunday the 2nd on, what else, Beach Party Day.
Harness racing will be this Friday, a change that’s already drawing more participants; there will be a catch and release trout pond, and sea lion and raptor shows.
Finales on Saturday the 8th will include the American Idol finals—Tuesday is the first day of that competition—with the winner driven by limo to perform on the grandstand stage before the demolition derby finals at 5:30pm.
All shows are free, though trackside tickets will be sold for the Gracin concert.
Wristbands for the rides will be sold each day of the Fair and are available in advance online at www.sunwshinefair.org, where a complete list of events is also available.