LAKEPORT — Near-perfect, hot summer weather and new hours of operation brought people out for the final days of the Lake County Fair at the beginning of this month.
Fairground Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons said that, while final attendance estimates are not yet available, he was pleased with the turnout. “We don”t think the attendance numbers are a good gauge of whether or not the event was successful,” said Persons, adding, “We gauge whether or not people had a good time here.”
The fair theme for 2006 was “Where Fun Grows!” and, according to Persons, it did.
Fairgoers enjoyed choosing from 107 exhibit booths to visit and 31 concession booths serving food items, drinks, and, of course, cotton candy. Fairgoers also benefited from a new sponsorship arrangement at the main stage by Solo Flight School, which operates out of Lampson Field.
Co-owner of Solo Flight School Nancy Brier said the fair was like having a four-day party.
“We were thrilled and we loved it. It”s a great way to meet people in Lake County,” said Brier, adding they have already committed to sponsoring the main stage again at next year”s fair.
The sponsorship of the main stage is a financial contribution, according to Brier, and the money goes toward paying for the musicians and some toward general advertising and marketing of the fair.
Lake Community Bank, which had previously been the sponsor of the main stage for many years, recently merged with Umpqua Bank and sponsored one of the most popular events of the fair, the 4-H livestock auction. Approximately 37,000 people are estimated to have attended the 2006 Lake County Fair, according to Persons.
Contact Cynthia Davis at cdavis@record-bee.com.
