By RAY LIGHTNER
Journal Staff Writer
A record 431,499 fairgoers attended the 17th annual, state-sponsored Georgia National Fair in Perry, Oct. 5-15.
It's the fifth straight year that the attendance record at the Georgia National Fair has been broken, said Michelle Treptow, director of communications for the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. Several factors contributed to this success, Treptow said, "the beautiful fall weather, school fall breaks for several counties, Sneak-a-Peek, lower gas prices, and the best Fair programs."
This year, an additional 30,884 people raised the attendance by 8 percent over last year's record number of 400,615,"
Treptow said. The Georgia National Fair's designation as a Top 50 Fair in North America holds true.
Several other records were attained during the Fair. Several single day attendance records – the first Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday – and the grosses for food and midway rides set new records, too, Treptow said.
Reithoffer, who provides the midway rides for each of the 17 fairs. "They were a committed believer in the fait from the beginning and are a committed believed today, Treptow said. Of all the fairs on the east cost, they have their highest grosses in Perry," she said.
People in Georgia like to ride," Treptow said, "and people come to Perry to ride the rides."
The concerts, sellouts in past years, were not sold out again this year. "We don't know why," Treptow said. It's been the trend in the area, concerts don't sell out and a t fairs across the country."
"Those that came out enjoyed the concerts," she emphasized. "Hopefully well get information from surveys as to why the concerts did not sell out."
"The Fair has earned a solid reputation as a clean and safe event for the entire family," said Michael A. Froehlich, executive director. "Parents appreciate a place where their children are able to experience an event that offers a special blend of education and entertainment."
"The Georgia National Fair has passed the generational torch," said Froehlich. "Youth who competed at the Fair in its early years are now sharing the Fair experience with their children. The sense of ownership is worn proudly by our Fairgoers."
The 18th annual, state-sponsored Georgia National Fair is scheduled for October 4-14, 2007.
Since 1990, the Georgia National Fair has won 63 awards from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions for its agricultural events, competitive exhibits, and communications programs. The Georgia National Fair has been designated a Southeast Tourism Society "Top 20 Event for October" 10 times.
The Fair has received one "Special Events Directory and Events Business News Top 200 Event" award. In 2002, the Fair was designated one of Southern Living magazine's "Our Best 202 Things About the South First-Prize Fair."
