Finally, a fair day for fair
Attendance down, but hopes up as event prepares to close
Today is the last day to get to America’s Fair before it wraps up for another summer.
You may not have had a chance to visit this year.
Rain has put a damper on many outdoor events across the region, including the 169th Erie County Fair, which has enjoyed just two days without rain since it opened Aug. 6.
Organizers on Saturday estimated attendance was down about 8 percent from this time last year, when 1,009,122 flocked to the fairgrounds in the Town of Hamburg.
Still, Saturday’s weather turned out to be beautiful, drawing many fairgoers who tried to make up for lost time.
“It’s been great,” said Jim Griffin of Blasdell, who was with his sons, Logan, 5, and Gavin, 2. “Actually, it’s been one of the best days so far — not too hot, not too cold and no rain.”
And with just one more day to go, fair organizers say they hope they will catch another break with the weather today.
“When you have a nice weekend you can make up a lot of ground,” said Lou Ann Delaney, director of marketing. “I still think we’ll get close to a million visitors.”
Aside from the weather, organizers did have a few things going in their favor this year, Delaney said.
Monday’s sold-out Taylor Swift concert was the largest ever for the fair and helped make up for having to cancel the Aug. 8 Vanessa Hudgens concert, because of the weather, Delaney said.
Organizers also say many families, who are usually out of town on vacation during the summer, stayed in the area this year because of high gasoline prices and an uncertain economy, choosing instead to take in local attractions — such as the fair.
Many Canadians also trekked across the border to the fair, taking advantage of the strong Canadian dollar.
“We did a lot more aggressive advertising in Canada,” Delaney said.
Considering the weather, the turnout seemed to be pretty good this year, said Beverly Wegner, who was working Saturday at Angelo’s Italian Pastry booth.
“This year has to be the most rain I’ve ever seen at the fair,” said Wegner, who has worked the fair for 15 years, “but it didn’t stop the people.”
Still, disappointment showed on the faces of many vendors.
“Business is down a little because of the weather,” said Jesse Lawton, who was running the trout fishing exhibit. “Everyone here will tell you the same thing.”
“Slow,” said Jeff Musial, owner of Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics in Darien. “The weather is kicking our butt more than anything.”
Delaney said she understands.
She has noticed more families bringing their own lunches, or tailgating in the parking lot.
“Everybody’s cautious about spending money,” she said.
Still, Little Buck-A-Roos — a booth where everything from hamburgers to nachos to grilled cheese was only $1 — had a long line Saturday.
“That’s the first thing I saw when I got here,” said Tara Wasik of South Buffalo, who was in line with her 5-year-old twins, Anthony and Jenah. “I said, ‘We’re coming here.’ ”
“It’s a little more expensive than it used to be,” agreed Griffin, the Blasdell father. “Prices went up.”
“But you got to make it work when you can,” Griffin added. “The fair only comes around once a year.”
Next year’s edition of America’s Fair is scheduled for Aug. 12 to 23.
Today’s fair highlights will include the World’s Largest Demolition Derby at 2 and 7 p. m. in the Buffalo.com Grandstand and another performance by Gary the Silent Clown — a 20- year fair veteran — at 6 p. m. in the Tops Family Entertainment Complex.
