The 88th Annual Northern Minnesota District Fair “exceeded all expectations” and was a resounding success, according to Tom O’Connell, fair board member .
There were hundreds of people gathered on the grandstands as they cheered on their favorite drivers during each of the three daily races on the track. Children squealed in delight as they flew around corners on the midway rides and played carnival games. And folks of all ages meandered the grounds, taking in the sounds of music and laughter; the nostalgia of classic vehicles; the tastes of cotton candy, popcorn and corn dogs; the awe of fireworks and the friendly smiles all around.
“The fair is alive and well,” O’Connell exclaimed, adding that it was great to have the carnival back.
O’Connell said that while the fair was “on life support” last year, “I feel like we can breathe again on our own this year.”
Last year, the district fair had no midway carnival, which O’Connell said led to falling attendance. He said that the fair board hopes to quickly secure a carnival again for next year after its success this year.
O’Connell shared a few notable numbers:
• There were 1,500 cars parked at the fairgrounds during the three-day event.
• More than 1,300 people packed the stands for the mud, lawn mower and oval races during the weekend.
• Seventy-one runners raced in the first Clover Cruise 5K/10K Sunday morning.
• More than 100 participants entered the open horse show on Saturday.
Jeff Eibler helped organized the Clover Cruise 5K/10K run Sunday.
“We had lots of positive comments on the courses and the number of enthusiastic 4-H volunteers and law enforcement officers on the course,” he told The Journal. “Many runners told us they were looking forward to next year.”
O’Connell said that some vendors were also quick to offer praise to the fair board, including satisfaction in sales and noting the fairground’s cleanliness.
Plans for next year include updates to the race track where mud, lawn mower, and oval races were held, O’Connell said. The races, especially for the lawn mowers, are growing in popularity, he added.
O’Connell noted that even as the fair was finishing Sunday afternoon, music was still playing near the entrance, adding that, for many, their final impression was that there was always something going on at the fair.
