Fair attendance at Cambria fair
By David Hurst, dhurst@altoonamirror.comArticle Photos
EBENSBURG - Maybe it's the crowded calendar this year's Cambria County Fair shared with other Labor Day celebrations, or maybe it's the sluggish economy.
But as Fair Manager Pat Brown made his rounds this week around the fairgrounds, he saw fewer faces.
It didn't stop nearly 2,000 people from packing the grandstand for a demolition derby earlier this week, he said.
And it didn't stop Joe and Robin Zahoran of East Taylor from taking their grandson, Joseph, to his first Cambria fair.
But times seem tougher this year, fairgoers and some concession workers said.
''Things are definitely a little slow this year,'' said Brown, helping to open an exhibit building at the fairgrounds.
One hit this year is opening the gates before 3 p.m. on select dates - a move to attract fairgoers who aren't interested in rides, concerts and demolition derbies, he said.
''A lot of people are coming to see the livestock - coming early to see the judging,'' said Brown, adding that he's happy to see it at a time the fair board is trying to take the fair back to its traditional, more agricultural roots.
This year, the board introduced events like square dancing and tractor and truck pulls during an end-of-summer week that includes a hefty number of events, including a fundraiser in Patton, Carrolltown's bicentennial events and Gallitzin's homecoming.
Add that to Johnstown's Folk and Ethnic festivals, which draw tens of thousands, and St. Michael's annual festivities, and there's a lot of competition.
''It's a busy week,'' Brown said.
Linda Mallin noticed.
At Linda's Lighthouse Cafe, one of dozens of food stands that line the fairgrounds, sandwiches and festival fare just aren't moving off the counter as often as in previous years, said Mallin, who operates the stand with her son, Robert Polchito.
''It's tough on families right now,'' she said, adding that the flow of traffic at their stand was often steady, but sales are behind. ''The gas prices, the economy - people just have less money to go around.''
Brown is hopeful the fair will end on a high note this weekend. A large car demolition derby should attract another huge crowd in the grandstand at 7 p.m. tonight, he said.
And Chris Young, a 2006 Nashville Star winner, takes the stage Saturday with one hit, ''Drinkin' Me Lonely,'' behind him and seemingly another, ''Voices,'' at No. 37 on the Billboard country singles chart this week.
Still, festivalgoers walked the fair Thursday, sat down for lunch and browsed baked goods, artwork and produce exhibits.
Others - many empty-handed - walked expo barns, where exhibitors peddled belts, shirts and other souvenirs.
''We just came to walk around, see the animals and see what they have,'' said Jamie Pierce, an annual fairgoer who brought her niece Laura Krug.
Joe Zahoran said he's been coming for decades -and this year, the fair was one of many local events such as the Folk Fest he attended for local getaways.
''We don't do too many vacations, especially with the cost of everything going up,'' he said, adding that many people are cutting corners this year. ''Local stuff like this - church picnics, festivals - that's it for us this year. But we enjoy it.''
Mirror Staff Writer David Hurst is at 946-7457.
|
orlandobob
|
|
|---|---|
|
09-05-08 6:16 PM
|
Ha if think thats expensive come to disney here in Orlando--------sure glad i know how to sneak in.
|
|
Peteswife
|
|
|
09-05-08 6:59 AM
|
We use to love to pack up for the day and go to the fairs in Bedford, Clearfild, Ebensburg, etc. Since admission fees, parking fees, the price of food, rides, drinks etc. and gas prices being out of this world, people can't afford to go have fun anymore. A friend and her husband took their 2 kids to Ebensburg fair and it was 32 dollars just to get in/admission fees. They are charging to get into the Festival at Lakemont this weekend too and probably charging for parking too. It's just to expensive for families to go and have a good time anymore.
|