Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

State Fair ends on high note

Event survives weather, football

South Carolina residents grabbed up their final helpings of corn dogs and fried dough while taking a farewell spin on the midway as the 140th South Carolina State Fair wrapped up its 12-day run Sunday.

The tighter economy, combined with several days of rain early, continued to take a toll on the fair. The official attendance for the fair was 409,541, compared with 425,804 last year.

"I think we definitely saw a change in spending patterns this year as a result of the economy," said State Fair manager Gary Goodman, who added the fair had experienced some of the same challenges confronting many businesses and entertainment venues.

One of most notable dropoffs was in the grandstand, Goodman said. The Toby Mac and Montgomery Gentry concerts accounted for the highest attendance this year as both acts drew between 2,500 and 3,000 people. Goodman said that such concerts typically receive lower priority than admission, food and ride tickets, which many consider necessities.

Even so, he pointed to several highlights this year.

This past Friday's attendance, which topped 53,000, was one of the best that day of recent years. And the annual clash of the state fair and a home USC football game on Saturday didn't result in significant traffic problems. Additionally, the fair did not experience any major safety issues or law enforcement problems this year, Goodman said.

On Sunday, fair guests took advantage of mild temperatures and overcast skies to walk the grounds, see the exhibits or take home their favorite fair foods.

Andrew and Christie Corbett of Newberry came with their two children, Aaron and Abigail.

"We came to the fair before we were married, and we've brought the children every year," Andrew Corbett said. "We try to come at least once every year."

And while the economy had forced many families to cut back, Corbett said the fair is a tradition his family has tried to continue.

"It's just a special family thing," he said.

Sunday's closing day featured the Shag A Fair competition in the grandstand featuring dancers from shag clubs across South Carolina and North Carolina.

Jeff and Myers Varn, of the Sumter Shag Club, won first place in the competition. They were followed by Jeff and Dede Ward, of the Carolina Shag Club in Greenville; Garrett Humphrey and Jessica McAlhany, of the Columbia Shag Club; Henry and Rita Dowd, of the Capital City Shag Club; and Jay Thaxton and Carol Thomas, of the Charlotte Shag Club.

Mark your calendars. The 2010 State Fair is scheduled for Oct. 13-24.

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