Puyallup Fair draws more than a million guests this month
Published 10:21 am Monday, September 27, 2010
Despite one of the rainiest Septembers in Western Washington’s history, the Puyallup Fair attracted loyalists and first-timers to the 17-day event, greeting a total of 1,065,208 guests, 117,827 fewer than in 2009.
The highest attended day was the last Saturday, Sept. 25, drawing 140, 122 guests.
The opening day tradition continued with the annual Puyallup Fair Western Rodeo Parade and Cattle Drive, and free gate admission until noon with a recommended Puyallup Food Bank donation. The effort was enhanced with support by KOMO4 and KOMO News Radio. Last year’s record one-day food donation of 25,000 pounds record was shattered with 90,000 pounds collected.
The first three days featured the Emerald Queen Casino’s “Best of the Fair” awards, with Fair guests voting for their favorite BBQ (Pete’s BBQ), Burger (Earthquake Burgers), Exhibit (Hobby Hall), Entertainment (Flo), and Livestock Exhibit (Draft Horses).
There were sold-out concerts for Willie Nelson and Heart, with a near-full house for Kid Rock on closing night. Popular entertainer Bret Michaels opened the Puyallup Fair Concert Series sponsored by Columbia Bank, performing after the second of five PRCA Rodeo Playoffs. Latin entertainment brought more than 20,000 fans throughout the day and evening on Sept. 19 for Fiestas Patrias, partnered with La Gran D 99.3 FM and Homero 1210 AM.
Popular favorites were also back, including rodeo’s Justin Boots Playoff of the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour, Mutton Bustin’, Puyallup Fair BackPaks and SillyVille Paks, along with 94.1 FM KMPS, Jack 96.5 FM and KZOK 102.5 FM paks. In addition to the Leo Osborne art exhibition, there was the IGX Video Game Exhibit and Sinbad and his Band of Gold Seekers High Dive.
Traditional favorites included animals, agriculture, exhibits, youth activities, Hobby Hall, home arts, food and rides, and family fun. Free gate entrance for the military community on Military Mondays was presented by partners Chevy and 570 KVI. Grange displays and animal shows were Fair favorites, as well as the State 4-H Fair and FFA Fair. ToonzVille was back, with a host of Nickelodeon characters.
The Puyallup Fair started in 1900, and is the eighth largest fair in the world. For further information about the Sept. 9-25, 2011 Puyallup Fair, visit www.thefair.com.
