By Don Rutledge
FPS Associate Editor
July 27, 2010
 |
| THE FAIR IS FUN! Bryanna Renicker, 7, (driving tractor blindfolded) obviously enjoyed the tractor games held Tuesday at the Carroll County Fair. Renicker’s brother, Braiden, 14, is directing Bryanna where to turn the tractor by tapping her shoulder as they maneuver through the course. Chuck Anguish, a member of the Carroll County Antique Collectors Club, is walking beside the tractor. |
Heat and humidity predominated again this year for the 160th annual Carroll County fair which closed Sunday.
Although gate receipts were down slightly, attendance during the six-day run was up, according to fair officials.
David Seck, superintendent of gates, reported the overall gate receipts of Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday totaled $122,392, which included gate and rides, and reflected a drop of $1,951 from last year’s paid gate receipts of $124,343.
Seck said this year’s attendance was 17,248, up from the 16,763 reported last year. He noted the 485-increase this year was due to more people attending the fair and not riding the rides, which cost an additional $5.
In reflecting on this year’s expo, Fair Board President Ed Trushel said he appreciated the support of buyers at each of the Junior Fair auctions and the good turnout for the grandstand shows.
All the animals survived despite the hot weather when temperatures some days ranged in the 90-degrees with a heat index in the 100s.
Rain arrived Saturday evening (but it was after the rodeo was finished) and continued into Sunday morning. The rain didn’t stop the horse pull from taking place and the combine derby went on as scheduled.
The only brief breakdown during the fair was a generator which
malfunctioned Wednesday evening around 6:30 p.m., causing the rides to be shut down for approximately an hour, fair officials said.
Open class exhibitors were down by 44 this year with a total of 116 as compared to 160 last year, according to Fair Board Secretary Tammy Sanderson.
“Open class entries this year totaled 725 which were down approximately 15%,” she added.
Sanderson also reported paid gate receipts amounted to $86,242 plus wrist band sales for rides which netted $36,150, making total paid gate receipts of $122,392.
She said grandstand and track sales of $3 and $5 for the evening grandstand shows totaled $24,447.
Several favorable comments reportedly were received about the renovation underneath the grandstand into a Community Center which is available for use by members of the community. The facility can be reserved by contacting the fairboard.
Sanderson said several members of the Columbiana County Fair Board attended the fair Saturday and were impressed with how clean the grounds were kept and the availability of the 18 golf carts for fair board members.
The 2011 Carroll County fair dates are set for July 18-24. |
