DuPage Co. fair attendance solid despite economy

The recession apparently hasn't cooled interest in carnival rides, farm animals and demolition derbies.

DuPage County Fair organizers said Monday that attendance was solid during the recently concluded five-day event in Wheaton, especially on Sunday when sunny weather resulted in the biggest single-day turnout.

Exact attendance and revenue figures aren't yet available. Still, Wilbert Hageman, fair association board president, said he believes crowds matched or exceeded last year's fair, which drew about 164,000 visitors.

"With the economy the way it is, I think we did well," Hageman said.

Organizers said they believe free musical performances, a variety of exhibits and a diverse collection of animals made the fair a relative bargain.

"I don't think there's anything out there that's going to give you the kind of experience you get at the DuPage County Fair," said Jim McGuire, a fair board member. "We had lots of different things happening all around the fairgrounds."

Educational areas such as Ag-Ventureland gave fairgoers the chance to see cow-milking demonstrations, a 4,000-gallon tank with dozens of fish from area lakes and a baby calf that was born Friday morning on the fairgrounds.

Making the annual fair more educational is one way organizers were able to combat a drop in attendance that occurred several years ago when more towns had their own festivals.

"We had to make sure we're not a festival," Hageman said. "We're an agricultural fair and we need to follow that."

While most of the fair's visitors having no personal connection to farming, McGuire said they're still interested in the county's farming history. "We want people to learn about the important role that agriculture plays in our lives," he said.

Despite a positive start on opening day, rain held down attendance Thursday and Friday. And the grandstand concert on Friday night had to be cut short because of the threat of lightning.

Saturday's crowds, lured in part by the return of the tractor-pulling competition, were substantial.

"It was really a nice show," Hageman said. "After not having it for a few years, I think it went really well."

On Sunday, the fair closed with its busiest day, attracting more than 70,000 people. The grandstand was sold out for the evening demolition derby.

By Monday morning, carnival rides were being disassembled, pens were removed and the tents were coming down. The animals already were long gone.

"It's sad to see it all going to pieces," Hageman said as he watched the cleanup effort. "It takes a year to plan. By Wednesday, you won't even know there was a fair here."