Rodeo, derby lasso fair crowds, will return in '05
Attendance at this year's county fair was up 18 percent from 2003, but organizers will try to top that next year with new entertainment.
By BETH N. GRAY
Published April 29, 2004
BROOKSVILLE - A championship rodeo and a first-ever demolition derby that drew record crowds to the 53rd Hernando County Fair and Youth Livestock Show will "absolutely" be on next year's fair schedule, said fair board president Deb Pedone.
"But I need something more, another big day for next year," Pedone said earlier this week, her voice squeaking from a bout of laryngitis.
The Professional Cowboy Association Championship Rodeo, in its second year at the fair, performed to an audience of 2,300 on its first day and another 1,000 the next day, making it the most popular attraction, Pedone said.
About 2,200 spectators witnessed the crashing of cars in the Saturday evening demo derby.
"That met my expectations," Pedone said.
Overall fair attendance, nearly 26,000, represented an 18 percent increase from the previous year. Last Thursday, with three days left in the 11-day event, officials had reported a 25 percent boost in attendance. However, the final-weekend crowds were "very good," Pedone said.
Meanwhile, new activities, such as the eating contest, and mainstays, like livestock competitions, kept fair attendance up on weekdays.
The fair board won't sit on this year's achievement. Members will pursue "something better," another major entertainment perhaps, to keep current fairgoers coming back and pique the interest of newcomers, Pedone said.
The fair board is looking for ideas. An improvement committee, made up of primary workers at the fair, such as youth livestock leaders, will meet next week to critique the fair and recommend changes.
"I'm open to suggestions," Pedone said. Vendors are also invited.
"That's what they do for a living," Pedone said. "When I want to know something about fairs, I go to those in the fair business."
Pedone praised the independent vendors, those selling food and souvenirs. Many of them decorated their venues with potted plants. One even employed a bubble-blowing machine to the delight of fairgoers.
Pedone praised the Kiwanis club members who helped at the gate; members of the Brooksville Rotary Club, who sold tickets; and the Hernando County Explorer Scouts, sponsored by the county Sheriff's Office, who parked cars.
"They did a great job," Pedone said. In all, about 50 to 60 volunteers staffed the fair daily. Pedone and the other board members are volunteers.
Despite the high attendance, there were "no safety issues," Pedone said. She credits the Sheriff's Office for its work. Deputies responded to calls to direct traffic and shuttle pedestrians across U.S. 41 from the fairgrounds when overflow parking on the other side of the highway became necessary.
"Parking's always a problem," Pedone said, "but we were prepared for it."
Preparations now are under way for next year's fair: April 21 through May 1.
