Spring Fair in Puyallup 4th highest attendance in 22-Year History
Published 10:52 am Monday, April 18, 2011
Despite weather that changed from a downpour to sunshine in four days, the 22nd annual Spring Fair in Puyallup welcomed a total of 114,317 guests. The April 14-17 event was the fourth highest attendance in history, 12,676 short of last year’s record high.
“The Spring Fair focuses on a wide range of value-oriented activities and events, making it a perfect family outing,” said Kent Hojem, Fair CEO. “The weather at the start of the Fair this year was a test of the tradition this April event holds. Rain or shine, people loved the offerings we included in the price of gate admission.”
Food Network star and Sumner native Sandra Lee was an important feature on Saturday, helping increase awareness of childhood hunger by joining forces with the Fair and Valpak to host a food drive. Five area food banks will be dividing the four tons of food collected on Saturday: Auburn, Bonney Lake, Federal Way, Puyallup and Sumner. Lee then hosted a standing-room-only cooking demonstration of recipes to compliment her television show, “Semi-Homemade.”
New features at this year’s Spring Fair included a Saturday night fireworks show, Timberworks Lumberjack Show, Monster Truck Show and Northwest Junior Rodeo. The 2nd Stryker Brigade from JBLM displayed a Stryker unit on Friday, which was Military Appreciation Day, offering free gate admission to military personnel and their families, hosted by 94.1 KMPS and KZOK 102.5 FM.
Classic automobiles from LeMay-Family Collection Foundation were featured at Auto Alley, with media partner 570 KVI. Friday night featured a Monster Truck Show, produced by WGAS, and Saturday and Sunday featured Slamfest Demolition Derby, produced by Evergreen Speedway/High Road Promotions.
Popular returning events included the 10th KMPS Showcase, featuring Randy Montana this year; DockDogs and the Swifty Swine Pig Races. The annual Garden Show included a 30′ x 40′ display garden by Olympic Landscaping & Irrigations Co. of Fife, attractive carts designed with potted plants and rhodies, and workshops hosted by local gardening experts.
Kids got in on the act at the NW Jr. Livestock Show and Sale, annual “Science Explorations 2011” science fair, poster contest, Creative Kids Exhibit and Egg Drop, and “Honoring Cultures.” The carnival and rides, 300 exhibit spaces and 40 food locations were well received.
The Puyallup Fair is slated for Sept. 9-25. This year’s theme is, “Make Your Escape.” For further information, visit www.thefair.com or text “FAIR” to 75868. Or, call the 24-hour hotline at 253-841-5045.
