Wunder didn’t provide a final gate sales tally, saying the low figure was “skewed,” perhaps due to the number of free passes that were handed out to sponsors. The fair saw a 30 percent increase in sponsors from last year.
Sponsors receive anywhere from six to 20 free passes, depending on their contribution to the fair. Some sponsors donate cash; others donated items.
When asked how attendance compared to last year — all things considered — Wunder said only “It is tough to tell.” Parking sales, online ticket sales and preticket sales numbers have yet to be finalized. Wunder expects the numbers to come in sometime next week. Wunder did know that Aug. 6, the closing day of the fair’s four-day run, drew the largest crowd, second to Friday, which is customary.
“They run a really clean carnival, and I appreciated not having electrical cords running across the street,” said Wunder, also noting he liked that cashless barcode system the carnival used.
Wunder said people complained there weren’t enough rides, but that was because the K-9 Frisbee Competition took over part of the lawn that previously was used for rides.
“They (Funtastic Shows) had plenty of rides,” Wunder said. “It was just about not having enough space.”
Wunder said the decision to bring in the Lane County 4-H kids — which raised the number of 4-H animals at the fair from 450 to 600 — “turned out great.”
“Auction prices were up, and buyers really came out to support their kids,” Wunder said.
Hannah Montana star Emily Osment drew a large amount of the youth in the community Wednesday night, while singer Aaron Tippin, who performed Thursday, drew a “fairly light” crowd, given his popularity, Wunder said.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds drew a good crowd Friday night, and Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts “packed the house — “like always” — on Saturday night.
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