Despite low attendance numbers due to humidity and heat, the Mower County Fair rebounded with high attendance over the weekend.

The fair received 2,000 more people on Saturday and 5,000 more people on Sunday than in the previous year.

“The humidity was so bad we could physically see it on the ground. I think people just waited out the weather and came on the weekend,” said John Mueller, president of the fair council. “Sunday’s turnout was the best we have seen in some time.”

Despite its weekend numbers, the fair did see a 15 to 17 percent drop in attendance. Mueller said fair official what they could to mitigate the weather, including moving back show to cooler hours and importing additional fans for livestock.

Event and booth attendance was likewise affected. However, Mueller said that there was still positive turn-out, especially for newer events.

“Cannonball Smith’s popularity is growing, especially since we moved him to Fair Square. Teen dances and teen events have growing numbers and were well attended. Two new shows we did debuted, the Cowboy Mounted Shoot-Out and Steer Wrestling, did exceptionally well for new events,” Mueller said.

Mueller said the fair council’s next step was to look forward to the state fair before begins planning on Sept. 7 for next year.

“The big thing for us going forward is to maintain the fair as a free event, while encouraging local involvement,” said Mueller.