Stanislaus County Fair crowds top last year by 7 percent

The Stanislaus County Fair reported nearly 249,000 people through the gates over a 10-day run ending Sunday, a 7 percent jump over 2014.

The figure is 5 percent shy of the record attendance of 261,089 in 1989.

“We consider ourselves very lucky to have such a supportive community,” spokeswoman Adrenna Alkhas said in a news release Tuesday. “The fair at its core has a lot of history embedded on its grounds and is a special event for the community.”

Other numbers of note:

▪ Fair concessions were up 8 percent, as was income to Butler Amusement, the fair ride operator.

▪ Nearly 30,000 entries were exhibited, including more than 3,700 in floriculture and 2,100 in photography.

▪ The Junior Livestock Auction grossed $846,603 for FFA and 4-H members. They sold 392 swine, 168 goats, 165 sheep, 35 steers, 27 rabbits and four pens of poultry.

▪ The Replacement Heifer Sale took in $455,100 for 125 animals raised by FFA and 4-H members.

▪ More than 30,000 people took advantage of the “Free ’Til 3 p.m. on Sundays” promotion.

▪ More than 14,000 people relieved the fairground parking demand by parking at two north Turlock lots and riding the fair’s free shuttle.

The fair also featured several big-name musical acts – such as Martina McBride, Eddie Money and Bret Michaels – along with a rodeo, motorsports, butterfly exhibit, hypnotist and plenty more.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 7:23 PM with the headline "Stanislaus County Fair crowds top last year by 7 percent."