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Fair Attendance Decreases 7%

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By JASON GEARY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 26, 2008

DADE CITY - Rainy weather put a damper on attendance at last week's Pasco County Fair, organizers said Monday.

Clark Converse, the fair's general manager, said 40,853 people attended the fair - about a 7 percent decrease from last year.

Fair organizers estimated nearly 44,000 people attended the 2007 fair, which set a record.

"Last year was the best year ever," Converse said. "It's really hard to come back and keep topping your best year ever."

Intermittent rain showers also spoiled some usually busy days, Converse said.

"Weather affected us on the opening day and Saturday," Converse said. "Those are traditionally our best days."

Despite lower overall attendance, Converse said the fair went well with "top-quality entertainment," including tiger and motorcycle shows and "a good selection of carnival rides" continuing to draw sizable crowds.

People flocked to Friday night's rodeo, and the fair's first demolition derby beefed up Sunday's attendance, he said.

"It was a standing-room-only crowd," Converse said.

Friday was up 10 percent in attendance compared with last year, and Sunday was up 33 percent, he said.

Converse said he didn't know how fair revenue compares with last year.

"We don't have all the numbers in yet," he said.

Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or jgeary@tampatrib.com.

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