MANASSAS, Va. -- Thanks to three final sunny, rainless days, the 2010 Prince William County Fair closed out its nine-day run on Saturday with an increase in attendance over last year.
Fair manager Keith Johnson reported 65,000 fair-goers passed through the gates during the nine days, compared to 61,000 last year.
“We drew 28,000 the last three days, topped by 9,895 who came out on Saturday, the final day of the fair,” said Johnson.
The top day attendance-wise was Tuesday when 11,000 came out for $2 day. The first Saturday hit the 10,000 admission mark.
“We had five good days, three decent days and one rain-out day. Overall, we had a very successful run, finishing very strong,” Johnson said of the farm classic.
The dates for the 2011 Fair will be Aug. 12-20. Two acts have already been booked -- the Agricadabra Magic Show will return and a lumberjack show will be a new attraction.
Johnson said fair visitors told him this year’s favorites were Swifty Swine Racing Pigs and Hansens Acrobatic Sensations.
“Both were very kid-friendly. The pie eating contest and water balloon toss, offered for the first time, were also big hits,” said Johnson.
As usual, the baby contests drew a large number of entries. The final two winners were 35-month-old Kelsie Erdahl of Gainvesville for the girls 19-36 months division and 25-month-old Nicholas Coleman for the boys ages 19-36 months division.
The winners present for the Greatest Grandparent Essay Contest were 8-year-old Kimberly Combs who wrote about her grandfather John Henderson; Cheyenne Hutchison, 11, who wrote about her grandfather, Charlie Hutchison and Jessica Kenney, 14, who wrote about grandfather Joseph Kenney.
The winners of the demolition derbies were Randy Mullins of Manassas in the 6-8 cylinder cars and Mike Cooke of Manassas in the 4-cylinder vehicles.
The derby was rained out Wednesday night but doubled up on Thursday, drawing a large crowd to the grandstands.
“We are all looking forward to next year already,” Johnson concluded.
(Winners of the Home Arts exhibits and livestock entries will be carried in upcoming issues of the News & Messenger.)
The theme of the 61st annual Fair was “Celebrating Bounty in Our County” and commercial vendors such as first-time exhibitor Winery at LaGrange of Haymarket reported brisk sales.
Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.
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