Fair breaks attendance records

Kids enjoyed the carnival, which did a boom business during the week, especially after Saturday's crowds.

A large turnout by the public for Saturday's event at the Elmore County Fair and Rodeo turn what had been a lackluster week into a record-setting event, with more than 11,000 people attending the fair last week.

The figure is about ten percent higher than last year's record-setting attendance.

"It was wonderful," said Kathy Wylie, fair director.

Although some fair events began Monday, Wednesday is essentially the opening day of the fair for the general public, the day the carnival opens and the midway acts begin performing.

Wednesday's attendance was "a little down, probably due to the weather," Wylie said. "Thursday was good, but we had a drop (in attendance) Friday, also due to the weather.

"But Saturday was a show stopper. The place was packed."

Wylie said vendors on the midway reported that Saturday's attendance made up for the three previous down days. The grounds didn't close until after 2:30 a.m.

"It was a wonderful fair," Wylie said. "The carnival crowds were over the top."

The rodeo also enjoyed a packed house Saturday.

Kendall Meyers of Kuna was named the Senior Queen of the rodeo, with Misty Heckathorn of Mountain Home selected as the runner-up. Justine Clark of Hammett was named Junior Queen.

The stock brought by Slash T proved a handful for the riders and performers in the rodeo, but the crowd appreciated every effort.

The pre-rodeo performances by the Canyon County Mounted Sheriff's Possee and the Unity Dancers of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation were well received.

"The pre-rodeo events (at 7 p.m.) I think we'll be doing every year from now on," Wylie said.

The Native America dancers, she said, "were absolutely fantastic" during their performances both on the midway and at the rodeo. "Their costumes were beautiful and they were so well received."

Wylie said both the 4-H and Optimist Youth Ag Group livestock sales were "very successful" for both groups.

On the midway, she said, "the new hypnotist did very well and the bands really drew the crowds in. They were dancing well into the night."