By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
While attendance may have been lower than last year, overall feedback – courtesy of several new and reintroduced features – pleased Kenosha County Fair organizers.
“I am still crunching the numbers, but ballpark estimate is about 10,000 less than last year,” said Fair Director Denise Zirbel, adding Saturday’s rain and humidity played a role in the decline.
However, the Star Spangled Summer-themed fair opened with a bang Wednesday, with a Wisconsin Horse Pullers Association presentation, capped off by a fireworks show.
The Horse Pullers Association presentation brought in hundreds of onlookers, and positive reviews from Andrew and Deb Lois, of Wheatland, who both said the feature was refreshing.
“Looks like there is a lot of interest,” said Deb Lois. “I think it’s something new and something different that we have not seen for awhile.”
Andrew Lois, meanwhile, said the Horse Puller show is often displayed at the Wisconsin State Fair.
“I went to the State Fair to watch it, now it is here – more convenient,” he stated.
Additionally, organizers brought in Digger Doug’s All-Terrain Vehicle/Utility Terrain Vehicle, complete with races.
Daily events included the All-American Lumberjack Show and a covered Creekside Stage, where music groups performed nightly.
Zirbel said she was pleased with the comments from fairgoers regarding the new or re-introduced features.
“All of them worked very well and had many great comments from people,” Zirbel said. “Overall, it was a great year, we introduced many great things.”
With the County Fair wrapped up, Zirbel is already outlining the 2017 calendar.
“We are excited to plan for next year,” Zirbel said.