By Jon Chown
Attendance numbers at the Santa Cruz County Fair were down about 10% from the previous year, but organizers are considering the event a big success.
“We had a tremendous run for all five days,” said Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Marketing Manager Ron Haedicke. “It was a little slow Wednesday and Thursday, but Friday we were packed, Saturday we were packed, and we had a pretty good Sunday. So it was a fantastic run.”
Haedicke credited the volunteers and the staff. “They outdid themselves,” he said.
Kyle Middleton of Soquel won a blue ribbon for his garden.
Haedicke said organizers were concerned that gang violence at the Monterey County Fair, held on Labor Day weekend, might affect attendance in Santa Cruz, and it’s possible that it did. A brawl between at least five juveniles and two adults resulted in gunfire and marred Monterey’s event. Seven people have been arrested. Haedicke said having local law enforcement on site during the Santa Cruz County Fair, in addition to hired security, is crucial.
“We partner with local law enforcement and it’s a very safe environment here,” Haedicke said. “A number of people commented that they really liked seeing police enjoying themselves and keeping everybody safe at the same time.”
Corralitos resident Ron Ince said he most enjoyed just seeing all the familiar faces and old friends. His favorite area of the fair is the Agricultural History Project and the Codina Center and Museum, which is looking better than ever with new exhibits and wall art.
Colton Wymore of Aptos won a Blue Ribbon for Youth Garden 9-13
“It’s Pajaro Valley’s history that’s on display and it makes you feel part of the community,” Ince said.
Despite the lower attendance numbers, Haedicke said that vendors reported great sales, and the Junior Livestock Auction might have set a record, exceeding $666,00 in sales, not including another $19,123 for the Heritage Hog.
“It’s great to see such community support,” Haedicke said.
Community support is exactly what Brad Hubbard, who organized the Corralitos Podres food both, noted. The booth featured sausages from Corralitos Market and was raising money for Corralitos 4-H and Corralitos Boy Scout Troop 599.
“It’s gone real well,” Hubbard said Friday night. “Everybody likes Corralitos Market’s sausage and people in the community like to support the Boys Scouts and 4-H.”
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The fair ran from Sept. 10-14. Haedicke said planning for next year’s county fair has already started.