Heat hurts fair attendance

The SEMO District Fair brought about 89,500 people to Arena Park over the course of eight days, according to fair board president Pete Poe.

Last year's total attendance was about 92,000 visitors, a 5 percent increase above 2011's fair numbers, Poe said after the 2012 fair.

Hot weather early in the week was to blame for the 2 percent drop in this year's total fair attendance compared to last year, Poe said. The fair experienced "quiet afternoons" Monday through Wednesday because of the high temperatures, he said.

When it cooled later in the week, people flocked to the fair in record numbers.

About 18,000 people visited the fair Friday, making it the "biggest day ever," Poe said, and Saturday's fair attendance was the most of any Saturday.

"The weekend was a record-setting weekend for us," he said.

Poe said fair revenue numbers would be available next week.

Pertinent address:

410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.