Record crowds at Richmond fair this year
The gates closed at suppertime Sunday on the 162nd Richmond Fair as record crowds trickled along the exit path. With a sunny and cooler weekend, families and friends met over the three days, enjoying the tour through filled stables, a full house of plants, flowers, field crops, handicrafts and cookery in the main building with over 600 entries in the Youth Fair Project along.
"We've had a good fair this year," said vice president Donald, (Wally) Beard who was propelled into the president, Clifford Lancaster's chair due to serious illness. "We couldn't have put on the show without a team of directors, supporters, sponsors volunteers and especially the public's interest," he emphasized. "Huge thank you’s don't seem enough," he added.
The weekend events included minitractor pulls, modified tractors on Saturday and the popular demolition derby Sunday. Exhibitors in the horse stables were worried by the reaction of some horses to the loud, take-off of the large tractors and some minor injuries were reported requiring medical attention. But no serious, long-term effects were reported. However, horse exhibitors are hoping plans for improvement to this aspect of tractor pulling competition will be considered at the annual meeting in December.
Elsewhere, food concessions were tested to the limit as long lineups at mealtime meant supplies would probably run low and the public was confused by an extra charge at the pulling bleachers. An addition of $5 was requested, a sum which entitled spectators to a VIP section where a better view was offered. Perhaps better signage could be planned for next year. "But we've had a great fair, great weather, wonderful helpers and the public support has been outstanding. We couldn't ask for anything more," Beard concluded.