Fair Attendance Declines 10.5% From ’99

Final attendance figures for this year’s Ventura County Fair show a 10.5% drop from last year’s event, but the total turnout was close to what it has been in previous years, fair officials said.

Fair publicist Devlin Raley said 247,900 fairgoers descended on Seaside Park during the event’s 12-day run.

On Sunday, 28,361 people enjoyed cool weather and the last day of the rodeo--about 12% fewer than attended on the last day in 1999.

Officials said the fair usually draws about 250,000 guests each year, which is “pretty much comfort capacity on the grounds,” Raley said.

Last year was a record-breaker for attendance, which officials attributed to great weather and a popular Beach Boys concert that drew more than 13,000 in one night. Also affecting this year’s lighter turnout was the two-day delay in the carnival opening.

Records were broken in other areas, Raley said, including surpassing $1 million in admission revenue. There were more exhibits in most of the departments than in previous years, Raley said, although final figures won’t be available until later this year.