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Despite a power outage and a prevalent threat of rain, DuPage County Fair organizers are calling this year’s event a success.
The five-day event, which wrapped up Sunday, attracted roughly 186,500 visitors. Attendance was higher than last year’s 165,000 turnout, which was lower than normal because of oppressive heat. The total is nowhere near the record attendance: 222,650 in 2005.
Wilbert Hageman, president of the DuPage County Fair, said the weather last week might have kept some people away. Even though rain stayed away during evenings last week, morning showers affected turnout, even when the grounds dried quickly, he said.
“When it rains in the morning people plan their day — sometimes it does hurt us,” Hageman said.
The fair faced an emergency Thursday evening during a 90-minute power outage before Chicago-area band Plain White T’s took the stage.
“Fortunately it was during break time, and it just extended it,” he said.
The Plain White T’s turned out to be the biggest success this year for fair organizers. Since the band was booked several months ago, their single “Hey There Delilah” has risen to the top of the Billboard music charts. It remains at No. 1 as of Tuesday.
Their concert at the DuPage County Fair — the cheapest one to book — sold out. Two band members live in Villa Park.
“We didn’t expect to be close to a sell out,” Hageman said. “You never know when you book it, you have to book it so early.”
Aside from the concerts, the fair’s regular staples, such as the petting zoo and agricultural exhibits, remained popular, Hageman said.
“The thing about our fair I like to stress: It’s for the families. It’s not a festival.” he said. “We have no alcohol on our grounds. We’re a county fair, and we do try to educate the people in this area regarding agriculture.”
Despite a power outage and a prevalent threat of rain, DuPage County Fair organizers are calling this year’s event a success.
The five-day event, which wrapped up Sunday, attracted roughly 186,500 visitors. Attendance was higher than last year’s 165,000 turnout, which was lower than normal because of oppressive heat. The total is nowhere near the record attendance: 222,650 in 2005.
Wilbert Hageman, president of the DuPage County Fair, said the weather last week might have kept some people away. Even though rain stayed away during evenings last week, morning showers affected turnout, even when the grounds dried quickly, he said.
“When it rains in the morning people plan their day — sometimes it does hurt us,” Hageman said.
The fair faced an emergency Thursday evening during a 90-minute power outage before Chicago-area band Plain White T’s took the stage.
“Fortunately it was during break time, and it just extended it,” he said.
The Plain White T’s turned out to be the biggest success this year for fair organizers. Since the band was booked several months ago, their single “Hey There Delilah” has risen to the top of the Billboard music charts. It remains at No. 1 as of Tuesday.
Their concert at the DuPage County Fair — the cheapest one to book — sold out. Two band members live in Villa Park.
“We didn’t expect to be close to a sell out,” Hageman said. “You never know when you book it, you have to book it so early.”
Aside from the concerts, the fair’s regular staples, such as the petting zoo and agricultural exhibits, remained popular, Hageman said.
“The thing about our fair I like to stress: It’s for the families. It’s not a festival.” he said. “We have no alcohol on our grounds. We’re a county fair, and we do try to educate the people in this area regarding agriculture.”
