Board receives positive feedback for 2008 fair

By KATIE SEMINARA

The thrills and activities of the 162nd Canfield Fair came to a close Monday night.

CANFIELD — Two days of dreary weather didn’t slow down the 162nd Canfield Fair, but it did lower the total attendance from last year.

In 2007, the fair had a showing of 342,992 people; this year’s total attendance was 302,186.

“I expected numbers to be down because of weather and the economy,” said fair board president James C. Evans, judge of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Despite the weather issues, Judge Evans said the six-day fair went smoothly. “Everything seemed to mesh,” he said.

Like the weather, the traffic patterns are also unpredictable each year, and Judge Evans was pleased with how officials handled the massive amounts of cars that traveled in and out of Canfield.

Last year, there was more traffic coming from the west, but this year more from the north and south, he added.

Overall, every day was filled with upbeat fairgoers and events taking place every hour of each day. There was even a wedding ceremony Monday in the 4-H pony ring — a standout moment of the fair for the judge.

“There were all smiles there,” said Judge Evans, who performed the ceremony in front of a large crowd.

Even something as simple as walking down to Kiddie Land to watch the faces of children on the rides was a good indication of the happiness brought by the fair, the fair board president said.

Since the closing of the fair, board members have received mostly positive feedback for their efforts.

“We really haven’t had any major complaints,” Judge Evans said.

The board will consider the comments received when planning begins for the 2009 fair, and the planning process is a short time away.

Judge Evans said he will meet with police and fire departments this month to discuss what improvements can be made for the 163rd fair and then will meet with them once a month until fair time next year.

The board members get to take a month off but will be back on the fair-planning horse in October.

Until then, Judge Evans said they will rest and enjoy the time off.