COUNTYWIDE : Fair Attendance Up 1% Over Last Year

Officials at the Orange County Fair on Monday reported an overall attendance figure of 675,515--an increase of 1% from last year--for the 17-day event, which concluded Sunday.

Fair spokeswoman Georgia Cluver said officials were “very pleased” with the turnout.

“We always hope for the best, to increase attendance,” she said. “But especially considering the economy, this is a very good attendance.”

Cluver said the record of 685,294 visitors was set in 1992, the fair’s centennial year.

This year’s closing-day attendance set a record, with 68,164 people passing through the gates.

B&B; Amusements, which provided carnival attractions for the fair, reported about $2 million in gross sales, up 5.4% from last year.

Early indications are that concession sales also increased. Admission and parking revenue totaled $2,766,585, an increase of 7.6% over last year.

Overall revenue figures for the fair will not be available for several weeks, Cluver said.

Most of the 27 arrests reported at the fair were related to alcohol use. Last year, 23 people were arrested.

This 102nd edition of the fair featured livestock exhibits, rodeos, a petting zoo, carnival rides, games and contests.

There was also nightly entertainment by groups including the Pointer Sisters, Three Dog Night and the Marshall Tucker Band.

Among the favorite attractions was the Ejection Seat, a $40-per-person ride that launched people 150 feet into the air like a slingshot.

About 5,000 launches occurred during the fair.

Next year’s Orange County Fair will salute goats and the horticulture industry.

Fair dates will be announced in September.