DuPage County Fair posts solid numbers as cleanup continues

While a final count hasn't been completed, DuPage County Fair organizers say they attracted solid crowds over the five-day event that ended Sunday in Wheaton.

Despite the need to fix hundreds of building code violations in the months before the fair opened, organizers say improvements to the fairgrounds along Manchester Road were largely well-received.

"We had a dynamite fair," said Jim McGuire, manager of the DuPage County Fair Association. "It was very successful. The weather was great, and everybody that came out had a good time."

McGuire said exact attendance and revenue figures weren't available Monday because organizers were busy cleaning up the 42-acre site. They also have to compile ticket sales from the gates, Walgreens, Groupon and the association's office.

But McGuire said he is optimistic that crowds matched or exceeded last year's fair - which drew about 111,000 visitors.

Besides the humans, 4-Hers showed more livestock in most categories (steer was one exception). And home economics contests - displaying the "talents of DuPage County" - had 200 more entries, McGuire said.

Before they regroup in August to recap the 61st annual fair, organizers will spend the next couple of days clearing the barns, relocating equipment and dismantling nearly 20 tents. By Monday morning, the carnival rides, pens and animals already were long gone.

What worked well?

McGuire said new air conditioning in the main exposition hall kept crowds comfortable and out of the heat. Overhead doors were closed to discourage them from cutting through the spruced-up building to the rest of the fair. The Spirits of DuPage - a wine and beer tasting event that also raised funds for upkeep of the grounds - and concerts also were relocated there.

"We've still got a little bit of acoustical work to do in that building, but it sounded good," McGuire said.

What didn't work well?

The changes to the fair's layout left some visitors disoriented, McGuire said, so organizers may add signs or have volunteers do more to direct crowds. Vendors who promoted their businesses also were moved out of the expo center and into buildings No. 2 and 3.

"We do have to do something better to direct the folks to get them to understand the new uses," McGuire said.

One unknown is whether to invest in the grandstands. The aging structure itself was deemed safe by engineers, but the seats were off-limits to spectators. Wheaton inspectors cited problems with cracks and buckles in the concrete, caused by moisture seeping in and freezing. Correcting the code violations and making repairs could cost $80,000 to $100,000, McGuire said.

Temporary bleachers with roughly 3,000 seats were arranged in a U-shape for the fair's demolition derby and rodeo over the weekend. McGuire said he heard complaints about the lack of higher views, but he expects attendance grew for both those events compared to last year.

"It was a little tighter just because of everyone being closer to the action," McGuire said. "But I think a lot of people actually enjoyed that more as far as taking pictures."

Six months before the start of the fair, Wheaton inspectors found more than 600 code violations on the fairgrounds. Most were minor, but 51 were considered serious enough to prevent building occupancy or use of equipment. The county sought the inspection after a task force studying the future of the property raised potential problems.

McGuire said he hopes the improvements impress county leaders who will decide what to do with the site after a lease with the fair association expires in 2020.

"We're very happy with the outcome," he said.