The 2010 Santa Barbara County Fair saw fewer people come through the turnstiles, posting a five percent decrease in attendance from last year’s record numbers, Santa Maria Fairpark officials said.
During its five-day run, 126,173 fairgoers experienced “Summertime Fun” at the fair, slightly down from the all-time high of 133,190 attendees in 2009. In a press release, Fairpark CEO Dennis Pearson explained that despite the drop, overall attendance was still up nine percent from 2008. The average county fair attendance is 120,675 over the last five years.
While there might have been fewer fairgoers, the fair’s Junior Livestock Auction was able to gross an all-time record $1,716,177 in sales. Youth from Santa Barbara County and Southern San Luis Obispo County sold 47 heifers, 180 turkeys, 24 rabbit pens, 22 chicken pens, 42 goats, 161 lambs, 25 swine, and 49 steers.
This year also brought new attractions, like the “Make a Splash” Wet & Wildlife Exhibit, Mini Monster Truck Show, and giant sand sculptures. Musical performers included Grand Funk Railroad, WAR, Little Big Town, and the Beach Boys.
For more information, visit santamariafairpark.com.
This article appears in Jul 29 – Aug 5, 2010.