GEDDES -- The turnstyles haven't slowed this year at the State Fair. Fairgoer Dan Shepard says, "The economy, I mean it's a great day out. It's fairly inexpensive for us."
This year the numbers are up. Way up. With many having time off on Labor Day, and the fair being a hot spot, there is the potential of breaking 1,000,000 visitors this year. Kim Miniker says, "The weather definitely helped. You can't beat this weather this week."
From a poor economy with great deals inside the gates, to near picture perfect weather and concerts like Kenny Chesney drawing in almost 20,000 fans, everyone is finding a reason to go. Dan Shepard says, "Up here the food is reasonable. Two dollar hamburgers, dollar hot dogs, one dollar water. You can't beat it."
One thing fair officials say they tried to keep in mind was that not everyone would want to come out and spend money at the fair this year. Especially with a down economy. So what they did was double the amount of free acts here at Chevy Court. That number goes from 12-24 throughout the entire length of the State Fair. Those who come out say that alone is enough for them." David Kogut, from New Jersey, says, "For me it's the concerts. They always have someone good here playing."
Sunday's free concert was M.C. Hammer, who packed the house. With deals like that to draw in numbers, it could be a promising packed day on Monday.
