It's a 10!

COEUR d'ALENE — The numbers are in and they add up to one thing: the 10-day experiment that was this year’s North Idaho State Fair was a smashing success.

And yes, look for it again next year.

The fair wrapped up Sunday and reported attendance of 154,726 — far more than the 97,000 that passed through the gates in five days in 2019.

“Isn’t that wild?” said Alexcia Jordan, fair general manager and CEO. “I think everybody is really happy with it.”

Jordan walked from the fair office at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds Monday afternoon as crews were packing up for next year.

Banners were coming down, booths were taken apart and bleachers sat empty. Signs near closed windows remained up, offering beer for $5, soda for $3 and water for $2. Another clinging to a fence said, “Welcome Rodeo Fans.”

Trailers were loaded with containers and boxes, full trash bags waited to be hauled away while tarps fluttered in the breeze.

What had been full of life with boys and girls and moms and dads and all sorts of critters and creatures since Aug. 20 was nearly deserted.

“This is the sad part, seeing everything taken down,” Jordan said.

While some questioned whether the fair could sustain crowds over 10 days, it proved it could, averaging more than 15,000 a day — even in the midst of a coronavirus surge.

Ray Vaughn, food manger with Terry’s Breakfast and Lunch based in the Spokane Valley, described the fair with one word: “Busy.”

Crowds lined up for their southwest-style menu offerings of burritos and chicken quesadillas, and also, their funnel cakes.

Vaughn and his team were taking their food stand down Monday and had plans to be at the Spokane Interstate Fair that also runs 10 days, from Sept. 10 to Sept. 19.

He said the cleanliness of the fairgrounds, the cooler weather and the additional days came together just right.

“For going to 10 days for the first time, this was great,” he said.

Over at Building 3, which housed the exhibits for veggies, flowers and fruits, teams were carrying equipment, supplies and even honeybees to vehicles parked outside the doors.

“It’s a lot easier to take down than it is to put up,” said Sharry Robinson, Building 3 superintendent.

She liked the 10 days, but said it came with challenges of trying to keep things fresh for fair visitors.

“Anything perishable is an issue,” she said.

It worked out OK, and next year, they will try rotating fresh exhibits in every three days.

“I thought it was good for the first year,” Robinson said.

Kelly McSheehy with the Inland Empire Beekeepers said as they had plenty of people coming through day and night, she gave the presentation several times to excited kids who got to view beehives through glass and search for the queen bee.

It was fun, but exhausting.

“I felt like I was a tape recorder,” she said, smiling.

Lisa Houston, another fair superintendent, said it went “fantastic.” She and others agreed going to 10 days helped spread out the crowd, eased COVID-19 concerns — some wore masks, most did not — and let folks feel safe.

Jordan was delighted with the turnout and said while a final decision hasn’t been made, it’s likely the North Idaho State Fair will be 10 days next year.

“A great way to keep going forward,” she said.