Kudos to the Grant County Fair

With a 58 percent increase in attendance at the Grant County Fair, we think kudos are in order. Fair organizers should be credited for pulling off such a great event we can all be proud of.

Attendance figures jumped from 43,145 last year to 68,289 this year, according to a front page article in Tuesday's Columbia Basin Herald. Much of the increase can be credited to a different attendance counting method. Here's how it works: individuals are counted each time they enter the fair gates instead of just once a day. At any rate, we still think the attendance improvement is worthy of mention and kudos. The volume of people at the gate was consistent.

Fairgrounds Manager Jerry Gingrich and his staff did an excellent job of pulling all the right people together to present an enjoyable time for fairgoers.

Quality music concerts, such as country music stars Joe Nichols and Pam Tillis, and Heart to Heart, provided an eclectic array of entertainment choices. People are attracted to an event with a variety of activities and good music is an important draw. Other musical offerings appealed to different people later in the evening.

Another factor was allowing people into the fair for free on the first day. People had more cash to spend inside the fair's gates, rather than being used for entry fees. This incentive is much needed because 21 percent of Grant County residents live below the poverty level, according to 2011 U.S. Census figures.

Another success was the fat-stock sale in which 4-H and FFA youth members sell their animals to the highest bidder. From beginning to end, friends, family, buyers and sellers provided a consistent turnout to the sale.

Raising animals for the fair instills values in kids that help them in school, life and their future careers. We thank the generous bidders who supported the Columbia Basin's youth.

Help make the Grant County Fair even better by voting on your favorite aspect of the big event at www.gcfairgrounds.com. The online "Quick Vote" asks people to click on entertainment, food, carnival or exhibits. Keep reading the Columbia Basin Herald to learn more about the survey's results.

- Editorial Board