With final attendance figures still being tallied, directors at the 134th Sunshine Fair are hoping they sense a trend:
Single-day ticket sales at the gate are up 8.5 percent.
“And that doesn’t count season tickets or three- or five-day passes,” said Fair President Doug Cater. “We ran out of the passes before the Fair even started so when those numbers are finalized, we expect even more of an increase.”
With the exception of a shower or two, weather-wise the Fair was blessed, Mr. Cater said, especially on the two Saturdays, which set attendance records for the day.
“Even the carnival people said the Saturdays exceeded their expectations,” Mr. Cater said, “and I’d guess 85 percent of the concessions made their reservations for 2011 before they even left the grounds.”
Contributing to the Fair’s success, he said, were increased numbers in nearly all of the barns.
The draft horse barns especially, were filled to overflowing, Mr. Cater said, and next year, directors may add some temporary stalls to accommodate even more.
Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits also drew an overflow crowd, Mr. Cater said, forcing directors to close the Party Land Tent—though they did set up seating for spectators outside.
The Fair Idol contest had a record number of contestants, he said, and with Oscar the robot and chainsaw artist Brian Ruth—whose auction also set a sales record—is expected back in ’11.
Equally popular were the first-ever Cabaret of Horses, Sea Lion Splash, Gourmet Lane, and, there for their second year, the oxen teams.
“We’ve had a lot of requests for an oxen show so it’s something we’re looking into for next year,” Mr. Cater said.
One area Fair directors hope to improve on, he said, is Progressland, which will likely have a new—or renewed—look and a different name in ’11.
Mr. Cater said they also hope to something different with the 3pm opening of the carnival rides.
State labor law means that if the rides open any earlier than that, workers must be paid time and a half, he said, which becomes too expensive on days when the crowds aren’t there early.
Fair directors hold their annual meeting the first Saturday in December at the Fairgrounds, when questions and comments are always welcome.
“Overall, we’re very pleased,” Mr. Cater said. “The weather cooperated and we had some great shows. I think everyone who came had a good time.”