It was a pretty fair county fair
Fair general manager says an estimated 100,000 attended
Watching the four-wheel drive mud races from the Crow Wing County Fair grandstands Sunday afternoon, Dale Domrase can't help but be pleased.
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As Crow Wing County Fair general manager, he's never seen so many people at the fair on a Sunday afternoon or for the entire week of the fair, in which an estimated 100,000 people attended -- 15 percent above 2003 attendance numbers.
"People have been really pleased with everything," Domrase said over the roar of a Jeep that barreled down the mud-filled race path. "It's been everything, the public really enjoyed it."
The attendance is figured by the number of parking passes sold. Not included in those number are the kids who bike to the fair, nearby residents who walk or those people who park outside the fairgrounds.
Dale Domrase, Crow Wing County Fair general manager, closed out the 2004 Crow Wing County Fair by watching the four-wheel drive mud races at the fair grandstand. The fair, which ended Sunday, drew an estimated 100,000 people for the six-day event. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Fairground parking has been handled by Brainerd American Legion members for the past six years. Volunteer workers at the fair said they'd never seen so many cars in the overflow parking lot on the southeast side of the fairgrounds.
"I think we hit our all-time high," said Charlie Extrand, an American Legion member who was working the parking lots Sunday.
Overall, things couldn't have gone much better for fair organizers or fair goers. Since opening Tuesday, the weather has been, for the most part, ideal for being outdoors. Aside from Friday's drizzling rain, temperatures have been in the low- to mid-70s and skies have been clear and sunny, which has lead to a lot of repeat customers, said Domrase.
"It's been just beautiful weather, which is important for any fair," he said.
Attendance isn't the only thing that grew at the fair this year. Domrase said entries for livestock and fine arts have increased from 4,418 in 2003 to 4,725 this year. The biggest increases were in cattle entries, which were up by 83 this year over last, and in youth arts which were up by 200 this year.
Domrase noted canning and homemaking entries were down this year, but it was hoped that with better marketing those numbers would be better in 2005.
Dale Domrase, Crow Wing County Fair general manager, closed out the 2004 Crow Wing County Fair by watching the four-wheel drive mud races at the fair grandstand. The fair, which ended Sunday, drew an estimated 100,000 people for the six-day event. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
"That's what this is all about, the exhibitors," Domrase said. The increase in numbers caused a minor setback. With more entrants it took longer to judge them, meaning the exhibits had to open a little bit later than usual Tuesday. Domrase said that problem would be addressed before the 2005 county fair.
Another improvement has been the carnival, Domrase said. He said the carnival operator, Minnesota Magic Midway Inc., of Anoka, which brought along 24 rides, always had at least eight more rides going at once than the carnival did in 2003.
On Sunday afternoon, a few people were taking down their exhibits, and when the fair closed its gates at 5 p.m., many more would be coming down. On Monday, the fair would be cleaned up and the remainder of the booths would be taken down.
Also on Monday, planning will start on the 2005 Crow Wing County Fair. Domrase said it's important to keep bringing new events to compliment the mainstays. It is variety that keeps people coming back to the fair year after year, as well as drawing newcomers, he said.
This year's main problem, the need for extra parking space, will be addressed before the 2005 county fair. Domrase said the fair board will be grading and installing lights in the overflow parking lot. Domrase sees it as a sign that the Crow Wing County Fair will continue to be a popular venue into the future, on that will continue to grow.
"That's a problem we don't mind having," Domrase said. "In fact, we've had no major problems this year, only challenges. Those problems, we love them, and want more and more of them."
And for the next 12 months, volunteers and board member of the Crow Wing County Fair will be busy to work on them.
MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.