Canfield Fair attendance lags Saturday, but rebounds for strong finish

Staff report

CANFIELD

Attendance at the 171st Canfield Fair, likely impacted by a chilly, rainy Saturday, couldn’t top last year’s six-year attendance high.

Fair officials, nonetheless, said they were pleased with the turnout.

A total of 284,556 people came to the fair over the course of its six-day run, compared with 310,744 last year. Saturday’s attendance was 45,152, down from 81,554 last year. Saturday had the worst weather of fair week, with rainfall in the afternoon, temperatures dropping into the 50s and a chilly wind blowing.

But attendance rebounded Sunday and Monday. On Sunday, 86,036 visitors came through the gates, and on Monday, 57,054 people visited. The weather improved those days, especially Monday when the sun came out and the temperature reached the low 80s.

“Thanks to the people of the Mahoning Valley and western Pennsylvania, because they came out very good on Sunday and Monday,” said Timm Schreiber, fair director in charge of gates and tickets. “We came back very, very strong, and we’re happy with the figures.”

Last year’s attendance was the best the fair had since 2010. In 2016, the weather cooperated almost every day of the fair. The year before that, the fair drew 282,386.