Fewer at fair

By: Toni Pirkl, The Jamestown Sun 

At close to 27,000, attendance at the Stutsman County Fair this year was down about 3,000 this year, but Fair Board members were satisfied with the fair’s success.

Most years fairgoers’ number about 30,000 as they did in 2009, said Fair Board Treasurer Mike Williams. He attributes the lower number this year to Saturday’s hot weather with the threat of a possible thunderstorm. Plus, there were a lot of other entertainment options available for residents and visitors.

“The numbers on Saturday were down about 3,000, but there were a lot of other events going on,” Williams said. “We’d say Saturday was an average fair day.”

Despite Saturday’s numbers, he said, no one on the Fair Board was disappointed with the turnout at the fair this year.

“The board of directors was very pleased with the attendance this year,” he said. “And Thursday and Friday nights were huge.”

The Johnny Holm Band played on Thursday night and the Knightrider Band played in a reunion performance Friday. Williams said they could not have squeezed another vehicle into the parking lots either night.

Johnny Holm always draws a good crowd, he said. But, the Knightrider performance not only drew a big crowd, it brought out non-fairgoers and that pleased him.

“Some hadn’t been to the fair for five or six years, so it means we’re putting on something for everyone,” he said. “We try to have a variety of things at the fair for people.”

The Knightrider Band also added a new element to the entertainment with the band’s jam session before its 9 p.m. performance. Various local bands, including bluegrass band Spiritwood Creek, took a turn on stage during the jam session.

“We may be on to something there,” Williams said. “People came a little earlier to hear them. It was nice to have music — an opening act. Maybe we should add a few opening acts during those peak days.”

Attendance at the fair may have been down, but the Mighty Thomas Carnival had a very “up” year. The Thomas carnival became part of the fair in 2003.

“The carnival had the best year ever at the Stutsman County Fair,” Williams said.

The James River Rodeo had a record number of contestants this year, Williams said, which speaks well of its quality. The rodeo runs during the fair, but is a separate event and organization.

“We have a great working relationship with that association,” he said. “And those guys operate a great rodeo.”

The fair saw a new 4-H event this year. Contestants from all over the state were invited to participate in the 3-D Archery Shoot.

“This is a growing event for 4-H and we hope to see it grow at the fair,” he said.

Other than a couple of children losing their parents for a bit, no mishaps occurred to mar this year’s fair.

“We had one or two small children who were missing for about 15 minutes,” Williams said. “That’s rather common and quickly resolved.”

The Stutsman County Fair has been at its present location for about 50 years and each year the Fair Board improves some part of the grounds or structures. This winter, Williams said, the plan is to turn the old merchants building into a kind of museum of old photos and memorabilia.

It’s already been turned into a place to get out of the sun and relax. Williams said Jenny Lindberg, wife of Fair Board President Alan Lindberg, brought in plants and a fountain creating “a very nice ambiance.”

“We’re always striving to make the fair better,” Williams said.

Sun reporter Toni Pirkl can be reached at (701) 952-8453 or by e-mail at tonip@jamestownsun.com