Despite  drop in attendance, fair board happy with 2012

The Mower County Fair Board and county officials overcame hurdles this year to make 2012 another successful fair.

First, the fair board had 29 days to devise a plan for grandstand seating, of which they accomplished. Temporary seating was able to seat plenty of spectators for Motokazie Supercross, figure-eight trailer races, demolition derbies and bullriding.

“With grandstand challenges and a few other weather concerns we had, there’s always things like that from year to year that are different,” said Neal Anderson, fair board president.

As always, weather played a factor, as Sunday was an all-day rainer. Sprinkles on two other fair nights had a minimal effect, as well.

While fair attendance reached nearly 75,000 — down from 84,000 in 2011 — Anderson is still happy with the turnout and some of the new features at the fairgrounds. Aside from grandstand issues, Anderson is happy with a new, paved, handicap-only parking lot. A large gazebo for fair goers to get out of the rain or hot sun was a bonus, too.

As always, a swarm of 4-H’ers, FFA students and open class exhibitors showed off their livestock, horticulture, posters, fashion and more. One 4-H’er went as far to show an animal in every category of livestock.

A new event, figure-eight trailer races, drew some extra interest, as well. The board plans to bring that event back for 2013 and make track improvements and extra preparations.

“Overall, we were very satisfied,” Anderson said about the 2012 fair. “Our parking, our attendance, our beer garden and grandstand numbers were all well within lines of what we need to have a succussful event and do it again next year.”

Click here for 4-H project results