LAKE COUNTY ? Rides, games and food booths were set up Wednesday afternoon in triple-digit temperatures at the Lake County Fairgrounds in anticipation of the gates opening for the 2008 Lake County Fair at 6 p.m.
Lake County Fair CEO Richard Persons said he doesn”t think this year”s fair will suffer from the economic downturn and rising gas prices.
“All the economic costs that affect all consumers affect the fair the same way. The thing that”s opposite is when the economy is struggling, people often don”t travel as much, and they tend to do things at home. Fairs have historically done better in tough economic times,” Person said.
Of the other fair associations Persons has talked to, he said most of them had good turnouts, barring fires and bad weather. Lake County”s fair averages 37,000 visitors per year, according to Persons.
“All bets are off when you it”s 110 degrees or when there”s a fire on the ridge. Other than that, everybody”s had a good run. We”ve got our fingers crossed,” Persons said.
He said high temperatures expected through Friday have him a little worried, but the fair opens at 6 p.m. and at 4 p.m. Friday, when temperatures tend to cool. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to be back down in the 90s on Saturday and Sunday, when the gates will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
This year”s parade grand marshal, Billy DeWaal of Kelseyville, has been involved with the Lake County Fair for 60 years, according to Persons. He said DeWaal, a Lakeport resident at the time, had a magic act in the fair at age 15. Tonight”s parade starts at 5:30 p.m. on downtown Lakeport”s Main Street.
Admission prices $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 through 11. Children younger than 6 years old will be admitted free every day. Seniors will be charged $5 for admission on Sunday. Children ages 6 through 11 will be admitted for $2 on Thursday only for “Kids” Day,” according to Persons.
For more information, call 263-6181.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
