COUNTYWIDE : Fair Attendance Is Up 15% Over 1991

Clear skies and the added attraction of a nightly fireworks display are being credited with boosting attendance during the first five days of the Ventura County Fair, organizers said Monday.

Total attendance Wednesday through Sunday was 119,216, up almost 15% over the previous year, said Teri Raley, a fair publicist. Paid attendance was 82,018, up 18%.

“We’ve been blessed with really good weather,” Raley said. “Last year, we had three days of rain. The weather was pretty miserable.”

She said this year’s fireworks display, a nightly extravaganza, has also been helpful in promoting the festival. The fireworks start at 9:30 each night.

“It certainly has increased the fair’s visibility,” Raley said. “And everybody loves them. They do make people go ‘Ooh’ and ‘Ahh.’ ”

Today is senior and handicapped day at the fair. Everyone 55 and older or disabled will be admitted free, she said. Festivities start at 11 a.m. and include a seniors dance and beauty queen pageant.

Musical entertainment tonight will be provided by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers at 7:30 p.m. on the grandstand arena stage.

The fair--which features carnival rides, animal exhibits and other attractions--runs through Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children aged 6 to 12. Children under 6 are admitted free.