County fair sets single-day record
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on October 12, 2006 1:52 PM
Attendance at this year's Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair narrowly missed setting a record, fair organizers said.
A single-day record attendance was set, fair Director Milton Ingram said, when more than 18,000 people jammed the county fairgrounds on the first Saturday of the event, Sept. 30.
"That first Saturday was amazing," Ingram said.
That day's events featured a low-price ride special, an early gate-opening time and a gospel music show.
Skies remained clear through the week, giving organizers with the Wayne County Livestock Development Association reason to think an attendance record might be set. But a rainy Friday and so-so Saturday attendance left the total short.
Still, Ingram said, about 102,000 people attended the fair over 10 days.
It was the 58th edition of the fair, generally considered one of the larger and better county fairs in the state.
Powers Great American Midway, the same carnival company that will operate rides at the North Carolina State Fair, which open Friday, provided the amusement rides for the Wayne fair.