Lake County Fair deemed a success

Lake County Fair officials said the weak economy and perfect weather helped push more than 157,000 people through the front gates of the fairgrounds in 2008.

Fair spokeswoman Becky Seiler said attendance was up 3,300 people over last year's count, which she attributed partly to more people forgoing big, expensive trips this summer. The fair began on July 22 and ended Sunday.

"More people stayed home this year because of the cost of gas and the economy," she said. "Plus, we had a lot of fun activities this year. The concert on Saturday seemed to be a huge hit."

Country singers Ashton Shepherd and Josh Gracin performed at the fair on Saturday night. Shepherd, who performed during the CMT Country Music Awards, and Gracin, an American Idol finalist, played on a featured stage in front of hundreds of people.

"We were really busy Saturday," she said. "The vendors seemed to be very happy."

She added the weather was perfect throughout the fair, with temperatures in the high '70s and low '80s.

"It was humid for a little while on Sunday," she said. "But, the nights were exceptionally cool. I think that really helped."

This was the last year the event was held at the corner of Route 120 and U.S. Highway 45 in Grayslake. Next year, the fair will be held on Petersen Road on land annexed into Grayslake.

Officials said they have to move out of the current fairgrounds by 5 p.m. on Aug. 31.