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Another record for Clay County Fair

By Staff | Oct 9, 2009

An all-time record attendance was reached during the 2009 Clay County Fair. This photo, taken on Sept. 19, records some of the 64,000 people who came through the gates that day, which was also a record single-day attendance.

SPENCER – Sunshine and nine days packed full of attractions, produced a bountiful year at the Clay County Fair with record-breaking attendance.

A total of 326,781 people passed through the red and white gates of the 2009 Clay County Fair. The total attendance trumped the previous record of 319,307, set in 2007, by 7,474 people.

Sept. 19 also marked another record for the fair, by being the highest attended day in Clay County Fair history. The official total for the day reached 64,198 people.

“It was the right combination of attractions, weather and planning that made the 2009 Clay County Fair such a success,” said Phil Hurst, secretary/manager.

Many factors played into bringing the huge crowds to the 2009 fair, despite the economic down-turn.

Motorcyclists gathered at the Clay County Fair on Sept. 19 as part of a community fundraiser.

“A solid line-up of grandstand entertainment and other attractions gave fairgoers a reason to attend and return for several days,” Hurst said. “Additionally, the new Midway rides like the Crazy Mouse, Himalayan and Sizzler served as a draw for fairgoers and aided in the 49 percent increase in carnival sales compared to last year.”

Leading the grandstand entertainment in attendance was the Trace Adkins concert on Sept. 20; followed by Bill Engvall on Sept. 12; the Gaither Vocal Band on Sept. 13 and Heart on Sept. 18.

Hurst said he took a gamble on this year’s fair, but it was well worth the risk. “When planning the fair, we debated if this was the year to scale back or if this was the year to go all out.

“We decided to go all out and make it the best fair we could.”

The fair board and organizers are now turning attention to the 2010 fair and the outlook is positive, Hurst said. “We’re looking forward to next year and have already begun the planning process to have another record fair.”

The 2010 Clay County Fair is set for Sept. 11 through Sept. 19. The theme will be, “The Best it’s Ever Been in 2010.”