Near-record attendance for fair

Five-day total falls 880 people shy of eclipsing 2017 all-time high at Grays Harbor Fair.

By Michael Lang • August 16, 2018 1:30 am

Attendance at this year’s Grays Harbor County Fair, which ended Sunday, nearly matched last year’s record.

Mike Bruner, manager of Grays Harbor’s fairgrounds and tourism, said 66,986 people took part in this year’s festivities, second most in fair history.

“All in all, with the weather, it was very positive,” Bruner said. “We had two days of very warm weather (Wednesday and Thursday) that also has a negative affect (on attendance). If it’s too hot, people don’t spend a bunch of money on food. But Friday was fantastic, and we set a record for Fridays.”

Single-day attendance records were set for Friday (15,439) and Sunday (13,393).

The weather might have kept some people away Saturday.

“With the showers, we were very happy to get the races and concert in. But we bounced back on Sunday with another record day,” Bruner said.

The entertainment turned out to be a success for the fair again this year.

“The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concert was phenomenal,” Bruner said “It was really shocking. We were sold out with the Golden Circle seats a couple weeks prior to the fair. It was a huge age demographic that came out for the show. We got an overwhelming response.

“(Thursday’s main performer) William Michael Morgan, he’s about a year from hitting it really big. So he was a guy that is going to take off, and his show was really good.”

But now, after the fun, it’s back to work for the fair staff.

“We’re already considering artists for next year. We have an evaluation process and try to figure out ways to make the fair better, and that process has already started,” Bruner said.

He added, “I’d like to thank our staff and the fair board and volunteers. I wish the general public knew how much effort our volunteers make each year. And there’s no way we could bring in the shows we do without the sponsors.”

Caramel apples, some with sprinkles, are on display Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at the Grays Harbor County Fair in Elma.

Cousins Lucas Bebich, left, of Hoquiam and Kalayah Taylor of Lacey vie for prizes by rolling balls into holes for points Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at the Grays Harbor County Fair in Elma.

A young fairgoer checks out a reporter’s camera before running back to her mom Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at the Grays Harbor County Fair in Elma.

The screams and thumbs up from riders of the Drop Zone were sure ways to tell they enjoyed the ride Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at the Grays Harbor County Fair in Elma.