Riding the ticket wave

Riding the ticket wave
This could be a record year for thrill-seekers at the fair.
According to Geary Bates, president of Bates Amusements Inc., which operates 50 rides at the fair, sales of ride tickets are about even with what they were last year at this time -- but brisk sales could put them well ahead by the close of the 155th Canfield Fair.
Sales were up by 7 percent over last year for the first two days of this year's fair, Bates said. But that changed dramatically Friday, when more than 2 inches of rain soaked the fairgrounds and halted operation of the rides for much of the day.
Good weather and brisk ticket sales Saturday enabled the amusement company to recover, ending the evening with sales almost even with those of the same time the year before.
If ticket sales continue at this rate through Monday, Bates said, "this will be the best year we've ever had."