BENTONVILLE — For the second consecutive year, attendance at the Benton County Fair was down, thanks in part to the weather and in part to fewer carnival rides.
Many fairgoers found themselves wondering where all of the carnival rides were as they strolled the Midway during this year's Benton County Fair to find that only nine of the 23 mechanical rides expected at this year's fair were set up.
"The smaller kids' rides were there for them to ride, but the teenage rides just were not there," said Tim Craig, president of theBenton County Fair Board.
When Craig questioned Billy Dillard of Dillard Cool Breeze Carnivals about the missing rides, he was informed one of Dillard's subcontractors dropped out of the county fair at the last minute, and there was simply no way to replace the carnival rides that were no longer coming, Craig said.
"It was just one of those unforeseen deals and a last-minute cancellation," he said, noting the number of exhibits entered into the county fair was actually good.
"We had a good showing of exhibitors at the fair, but I will be the first one to admit I was disappointed with the carnival," Craigsaid. "It is what it is. There was no way we could change it at the last minute, but we will be looking into it to make sure it never happens again to county residents."
Sept. 18 was the county fair's biggest night because the rainy weather finally gave the county fair a break, Craig said, noting the number of people who attended the county fair on Friday was close to normal years.
"Overall, weather is our biggest enemy," he said.
Planning for the 2010 Benton County Fair is already under way.
"We will be doing whatever it takes to make sure the Benton County Fair comes back strong," Craig said.
News, Pages 18 on 09/27/2009