Walworth County Fair nets another year of big crowds - Beloit Daily News: News: walworth county fair, elkhorn, county fair, labor day weekend, rob baxter

ELKHORN - Dan and Brenda Murphy, of Delavan, were busy stripping a piece of cotton candy from a large bag for their grandson, Bentley, as they made their way pushing a stroller through one narrow, sparsely populated area of the Walworth County Fair on Sunday. 

It was one of the few spots visitors could easily maneuver as large crowds filled seemingly every aisle, some on hand several hours even before the well-known Doobie Brothers band hit the stage.

"That is why we are here," Connie and Bill Draganski of Twin Lakes said, as they basked in the afternoon sun while sitting on a bench in the middle of the carnival area. "We have never seen them before," Bill said, as the two smiled widely.

A day earlier, rain cut by roughly half the usual attendance at the fair, which began its annual run Wednesday and wrapped up Monday.

"We were doing really well until Saturday when the weather was not that great," Sue Pruessing, who handles marketing for the fair, said. "Today (Sunday) the weather is being real cooperative."

So what brings people to the county fair these days?

According to Pruessing, a state survey found the number one draw for people is the food. And at the Walworth County Fair, there was plenty of that.

The thickest, juiciest pork chops you'll ever find, on a stick, Italian beef, huge Italian sausage dripping with cooked onions and peppers, cheese curds, Chinese food, funnel cakes, cream puffs, homemade pretzels, hot wings and much, much more.

The fair's assortment of flavors likely helped push attendance up by 3,000 people the first day alone. Final attendance figures for the fair were not immediately available this morning.

A quick survey of visitors found many came from Delavan, some from Elkhorn and some from as far away as Appleton.

"We try and come every year," Barb Crusan said, as she and her husband, Doug, watched their daughter, Chloe, flip, twirl and swing on the floating harness she was tied to that was suspended above the ground. "We are originally from the area. They have added a few things. It is one of the nicest county fairs."

As the sun began to set, last minute concert-goers tried to find any nook and cranny they could to squeeze in to see the Doobie Brothers.

The temperature dropped quickly sending some scrambling for heavy jackets and others simply shivering as they listened to an array of familiar songs like "China Grove" and "Jesus Is Just Alright with Me."

There was even a prominent South Beloit resident in the audience prior to the concert.

Mark Finnegan of Finnegan's RV was on hand with friends and family gathering donations for his popular VetsRoll program.

Meanwhile, others jumped, clapped and occasionally danced in the aisle, as the Doobie Brothers played.

Pruessing said the tradition of the county fair is indeed alive and well.

"Parents and grandparents always want to see their kids' exhibits and that is always a big draw and important," she said. "But the big thing that seems to drive people in these days is the entertainment. They are looking for good value."

via www.beloitdailynews.com