Bill Vander Weele | Sidney Herald Aug 11, 2018
Updated Aug 11, 2018
With weather nearly perfect for most of its four-day run, the Richland County Fair and Rodeo enjoyed record-breaking attendance this year. Total attendance was 31,168 for the fair, which was held on Aug. 1-4. The previous record was 31,122 for the 2014 fair. “As far back as I can go, that’s the record,” fair manager Jamie Larson said of the turnout.
She noted the Saturday night concert featuring the Eli Young Band and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was also a record-breaker. “It was the biggest concert that we’ve had as far as ticket sales go,” Larson said. Huge sales for the concert took place during fair week. Overall, every day at the fair was more busy than a year ago except for Thursday, which featured near 100-degree temperatures.She added that Saturday was also an extremely busy day for the carnival. She noted that the attendance during the rodeo on Thursday was a little lower than the previous year. But the attendance was the same at Friday’s rodeo compared to 2017.
One of the top highlights of the fair was the performance by Kenny Metcalf as Elton John during a free concert on Wednesday night.
“I was looking for an act like that,” Larson said. “I knew it was different, but I thought once he started playing that people would come. And they did.”
She noted that the ROCK BOTTOM BOYS attracted large crowds on the free stage.
“The ROCK BOTTOM BOYS did a great job. I plan to have them back,” Larson said. “Most of their shows were packed.”
Rollo, the Strolling Stilt Act, and Marcus, Funny Man who does Tricks, were also very well received. “I felt all the acts did very well,” Larson said.
Another very busy place was the Freckle Farm Petting Zoo.