A week of fun is underway at the Lucas County Fairgrounds. The 152nd annual Lucas County Fair runs through Sunday. This year, some vendors are complaining the heat and the economy are taking a toll on the turnout.
The director of the fair board says attendance has been steadily declining for years. But she's hoping to draw more people out. There's so much to do, it's close to home, and it's cheaper than a movie theater.
From a pair of horses pulling almost 10,000 pounds of bricks to bumper cars. There are games, rides, food, and entertainment for everyone. But some vendors say this year the numbers are down.
Ginger Parkhurst runs a lemonade stand. She says business is slow. "It seems to be dying down a little bit& Honestly, the heat. The heat plays a big part. It has been very, very hot out here."
Vendor Tim Curry says, "Today was slow. Tuesday and Wednesday were really good. Hopefully the weekend will be better."
The Lucas County Fair board director says attendance has been dropping for years. She blames the economy and unemployment.
Kay Stenzel, director of the Lucas County Fair Board says, "When my kids were little, we use to come out three or four times a week. We would spend whole days here. Now many families can only afford to come once." She also says this fair is different from other county fairs since this one is more urban than rural.
However, 13abc found plenty of smiling faces. And the director is hopeful the weekend will bring good weather and more people. "There are lots of things to see. Tonight we're having draft horse pulls. We've got a demolition derby coming up. An apple pie auction, says Stenzel.
Here are a few highlights for the remainder of the fair. Friday, the former lead singer of bad company will perform. Saturday there will be lawnmower races and a demolition derby. And Sunday, the last day of the fair, there will be a cheerleading competition and a rough truck challenge. Admission is $6.
via abclocal.go.com
