Quantity and quality ranked high at Grand Island State Fair
by
Anthony Pura
Story Created:
Sep 7, 2010 at 4:45 PM CST
Story Updated:
Sep 7, 2010 at 5:17 PM CST
From a 'can do' city to a 'we did it' city the numbers are in for the first Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. And nearly 309,400 people came to the fairgrounds during the course of the 11 day event.
309,400 people. It's more people than state fair officials have planned for. It's enough to meet their goal. And it's a number they plan to build on.
The day after the biggest event central Nebraska has seen the rides are packed up. The animals have gone home. The food - you won't find any.
But you can tell there was an 11 day fair on the fairgrounds and 309,400 people came to the party.
"I knew it would be a lot. It was amazing, you could never look down the streets and not see tons of people," said concession vendor Mitzi Arnall.
It wasn't enough to beat last year's numbers. More than 369 came to that one, but then again, fair officials say, it was a historic one, the last in Lincoln.
But this year's attendance is almost 300 people more than 2008's numbers.
One of highest highest in the fair's recent history and beating that number was the goal from the start.
"I think I've been saying all along that we need to have a high quality event and take care of people and the numbers will come and I firmly believe that. We're optimistic about the future," State Fair Director Joseph McDermott said.
So are many who were part of this fair.
This year, The banana man stand made a strong selling on their deep fried snacks and by Sunday, ran out of their signature banana on a stick.
"We do run out, but this was a day earlier than the past," said Jim Ritzman, Banana Man stand.
And so as vendors pack up they're not leaving for good. They want to be part of that fair too.
"It was splendid, we'll be back as long as they'll have us. We'll be here," Arnall said.
So numbers are good, but fair officials were also very concerned about just overall quality. According to their survey 85 to 90 percent of people enjoyed the fair and would recommend it to others. Customer service in the fair scored more than 4 points out of 5. So that's more good news.
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