Despite expected competition from the Democratic National Convention in Denver during the heart of its run, the Colorado State Fair was on pace Monday to challenge last year’s attendance mark of 485,038.
The 11-day fair in Pueblo concluded Monday and attendance figures will be released Tuesday. As of this evening, however, 439,587 people had passed the turnstiles, less than 45,000 under last year’s strong showing.
“It’s pretty packed out here today,” State Fair spokeswoman Christi Lightcap said by phone.
Despite the high price of gas and several competing events that might detour some state residents from making the trip to Pueblo, organizers had hoped to top 450,000 this year.
The 2007 mark had been a 7-percent increase over 2006. In 2002, a 16-day fair drew a record of 667,457 visitors.
Though attendance fluctuates, the fair has struggled financially in some years.
In 2006 the Legislature and then-Gov. Bill Owens provided two years’ worth of aid, primarily to help pay back a $2.4 million from with the state, and a separate $1.4 million for an events center. The bill also included $550,000 annually for operating expenses.
In addition to live exhibits and competitions, rodeo events, a demolition derby and truck pulls, this year’s show included performances from the Little River Band, Jason Aldean, the Smothers Brothers, the Guess Who, Colbie Caillat, Sugarland and the Latin Legends.
Colorado’s state fair pre-dates its statehood. The first fair was put on by the Southern Colorado Agricultural and Industrial Association in October 1872, four years before Colorado became a state.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
