Fair numbers

COEUR d'ALENE - When Fair Manager Chris Holloway walked through the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo this weekend, she said, folks had plenty to tell her.

"Every time I came around the corner, people were thanking me, saying 'This is the greatest fair and most fun,'" she said.

Even with some changes this year, the event saw as many smiling faces as ever, Holloway said.

She ballparked that attendance was close to last year's fair - which saw more than 70,000 - though the fair office won't have official numbers for another few days.

There was also praise for this year's new $5 fee for grandstand seating, she added.

Although the motorcross event saw some empty seats, she said, the other grandstand shows like the rodeo and demolition derby were packed.

People said they were happy not to have to save their seats an hour ahead, she said.

"Most fairs and events do charge additional for preferred seating, and that's what we did," Holloway said. "It gave people who wanted to go to the event some peace of mind."

Staff is still totaling how much the $5 tickets brought in, she added.

"I think it will be very helpful," she said. "That is definitely something we'll continue."

There will be discussions on whether to do the same with allowing fairgoers to carry beer anywhere on the fairgrounds, another first this year.

"I heard good things, then I heard there were those who didn't care for the concept," Holloway said.

On Monday afternoon the Kootenai County Fairgrounds looked vacant, the carnival rides gone and nearly all booths with them.

Kevin Ekness was still helping his brother dislodge planks from the roof of their family's food booth, Ekness Catering.

"We're so worn out at the end of the fair, we're ready to go," said Kevin, 47. "My mom says that the best part of the fair is putting up the booth, and the second best part is taking it down."

They saw as many customers this fair as last year, Kevin estimated.

Many he gabbed with were impressed by the fair's entertainment, like a group that performed on washboards while traversing the grounds.

"The fair did a really good job with entertainment," he said.

His coworker Keith Ekness, added that he had heard some worry about the open beer policy, but he didn't see any problems.

"It probably increased our sales," he said. "We sell beer balls, and that goes well with beer."

Sharry Robinson was emptying water out of the fountain in the gardening building on Monday as other staff helped take down exhibits.

"There's always a lot of sadness," Robinson said of taking down the fair. "As far as I'm concerned, the fair is one of the best weeks of the year."

Although exhibits were down because of the delayed growing season, she said, public response was still enthusiastic.

She did hear some complaints that hard copies of the fair book weren't available this year.

"It's all online, but you're either computer savvy or you're not," Robinson said.

But the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo is all about trying new things, she said.

"As Chris Holloway said to us yesterday, if you never try something, then you never know," she said.