Mower County Fair attendance again at 90K

Published 10:49 am Thursday, August 20, 2015

Attendance at the Mower County Fair last week was similar to last year with about 90,000 attendees, according to Fair Board President John Mueller.

“Overall I think it went extremely well,” Mueller said. “We of course had some pretty warm days toward the later days there, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.”

Despite the heat, Mueller said the fair was well attended and the grandstand events were well received. The bull riding event and the demolition derby were both sold to near capacity.

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“Those typically the last few years were the biggest draws,” Mueller said.

The motocross event also drew many people.

Mueller said people have asked for music in the grandstand, and this year there were two musicians: country singer Gwen Sebastian and Brad Boic’s Las Vegas-based Elvis and the Big Band show. Mueller said the acts were well received, and fair leaders hope to continue hosting music events.

“Music is something that we want to continue to do, and we need the public to attend it to show the support for it,” he said.

The GoldStar Amusements midway returned for a second year, making several changes based on responses to last year’s fair. The company brought in several more rides and spread out a bit more to create more room.

“They accomplished both of those things and we believe their success in doing that was reflected in the attendance at the carnival,” Mueller said.

Organizers were also able to bring in a petting zoo this year.

Mueller said the fair went well overall and was grateful to all the volunteers and people who showed animals or competed in events.

“We’re grateful to all the volunteers that come out and helped put everything together, and of course the participants that come out to compete or show their livestock,” he said. “It’s truly the largest get-together in Mower County.”