YREKA – Siskiyou Golden Fair CEO Rebecca Desmond reported a 2-percent increase in fair attendance for 2009, with an estimated total of 51,392 visitors. The revenue count is not completed, but Desmond expects the amount to be down a little.

“Pre-sale admission and carnival wristband sales were up over last year, and that can bring overall revenues down, but is a real plus for our customers,” said Desmond

The fair also saw an uptick in participation and attendance for some exhibits and events.

“Entries were doubled in the floral, fine arts and ag-hort buildings and way up in home arts. Junior Fair Board karaoke on Friday afternoon was a big hit. Also moving the livestock awards ceremony to the mall stage saw the audience go from 12 to 200 (2008 versus 2009),” said Desmond.

Among the most popular attractions were the new Supershot ride in the carnival, Cooking demonstrations in Ag-Hort Building by the Pacific West Foodworks, Country Store in the Ag-Hort (Which significantly increased sales over previous years), GAScar Races, and Farmyard Follies. In the grandstand, the rodeo and destruction derby were the tops sellers. Ticket sales for the Thursday night concert and Xtremely mped were down 50%.

Despite the tough economy, Desmond was pleased with how this year’s fair fared.

“The whole fair went exceptionally well. People came out to the fair and had a wonderful time. Couldn’t beat the weather. It was a very nice hometown fair as usual. Wednesday night was a very big night which is a sign of the economy and also that people were waiting all year for the fair to open,” said Desmond.

Changes for next year will include new entertainment in the grandstand on Friday night, and more ground acts, budget allowing.

Next up for Desmond and the fairgrounds is the Harvest and Brewfest on October 16, 2009.