Fair attendance topped 26,000 last week
Photos by Tom Rivers: Lyric Wallenda, a seventh-generation circus performer with the Wallenda family, twirls upside down as part of a show from Circus Incredible, which performed at the Orleans County 4-H Fair for the first time.
Perfect weather, expanded entertainment attracted crowds
KNOWLESVILLE – Attendance for the Orleans County 4-H Fair last week topped 26,000, which is the most in recent years, according to fair officials.
The weather was ideal for the fair, with no noticeable rain the entire six-day run and no stifling hat to kept h crowds away.
“It was an excellent fair,” said Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, which owns the fairgrounds. “The weather was absolutely perfect.”
Katelyn Spierdowis of Albion waits for her turn to ride her horse last Saturday on the final day of the fair.
Fair officials estimate the attendance at 26,284. They use a formula that includes about 3 people per car as well as other factors. That attendance is up from 24,233 in 2018, and 24,500 in 2017.
The Orleans fair is a youth fair where alcohol isn’t allowed. There also isn’t a demolition derby or big-name bands. The focus is on 4-H exhibitors, with other entertainment, including midway rides.
Joe Cecchini of Medina cleans a cow on July 22, opening day of the fair.
Batt praised a dedicated group of many volunteers for organizing and running the annual event. Many new volunteers stepped up this year for the big event, which included an expanded lineup of entertainment.
“It was really nice with all the volunteers and families, including some new families. We’re getting a new wave of kids. We have a high number of Clover Buds and young kids entering the program.”
Jason Clark of Kendall runs an excavator and pulls small items from holes as part of a challenge from Bentley Brothers at the fair. Clark was one of the few who removed all three items without dinging the walls in the holes.
