Kane County Fair attendance up 16 percent

Attendance at this year's Kane County Fair increased 16 percent over last year, with 141,258 fair goers attending the five-day event that wrapped up Sunday.

Mild weather and new main stage acts are what organizers believe drew more people to the St. Charles fairgrounds this year despite a severe thunderstorm Wednesday night that forced a concert cancellation.

Country star Gary Allan's performance was canceled following lightning reports. Ticketholders can get refunds until Aug. 31 by writing to Valley Community Bank, c/o Kane County Fair, 620 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174. Proof of purchase, such as a ticket or credit card statement copy, is required for a refund.

Friday's World Series of Motorsports, Saturday's rodeo and Sunday's Demolition Derby filled the stands, said fair marketing director Floyd Brown.

The carnival midway continued to draw crowds. Free performances such as the Elephant Encounter, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs and Grandpa Cratchet -- new this year -- attracted families, Brown said.

"What really proved a great hit was our opening day $1 (admission) promotion and 10 rides for $10," Brown said. "That kind of saved the day because of the storm at night. I can't complain, though -- we had good weather the rest of the week."

Last year, the fair drew 121,400 people, bouncing back after a two-year dip in attendance despite rain during four of the event's five days. Typically, fair attendance has been strongly correlated with the weather, with both rain and extreme heat keeping away hordes of would-be visitors.