FLORIDA FAIR NEWS CONTINUED…..………..……………………………………….. Clay County Agricultural Fair
“Celebrating 25 Years of a Wheelin’ Squealin’ Good Time” What a Fair! Our new theme said it all…Celebrating 25
Years of a Wheelin’ Squealin’ Good Time! We set new records again. It wasn’t easy but teamwork helped us achieve a new single daily record the first Saturday (22,818), a new Sunday record (13, 621) and total attendance 106,789. We were up 3.9%. Opening day was a special day but, the weather was terri-
ble. It rained before and after the ribbon cutting. The gates were opened in style with a special ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Claude Kelly, recognized as one of the Fair’s founders, and current Chairman of the Board of Directors, Larry Lancaster. This was special since we were celebrating our 25th Anniversary and the first fair ribbon was cut by the Agriculture Commissioner Doyle Conner. We were down 55% after opening day. We were lucky to have 6,265 guests attend since we had 1.81 inches of rain. We were proud to have Paul Davis, Lee Bakst, and El- lany Johnson from the Florida Strawberry Festival attend, just wish the weather would have been better. On Friday we enjoyed much better weather however we
were down again by 6 %. This was due to school being out last year and in session this year. The lawn mower races were again a big hit. World record holder Bob Cleveland teamed up with local TV personalities for a fun race. Saturday was Rodeo Day with two shows for the Florida
High School Rodeo Competition. DeWayne Spaw provided pre-show entertainment and energized the crowd. We enjoyed beautiful weather and set a single day attendance record (22,818). Entertainment was fantastic. Main Stage concert entertain-
ers included: Brett Eldredge, Randy Houser, Megan McGovern, John Anderson, Adam Brand, Jerrod Niemann, and Easton Corbin. Strolling acts were: Washboard Willy, Denny the Rodeo
Clown, The Recycle Cycle, Ronald McDonald, Jaxson De’ Ville, SpongeBob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer. Ground acts included: Kandu Magic Show, Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Show Me Safari Petting Zoo, Frog Jumping Show, Rosaire’s Royal Pig Races, Disc- Connected K-9’s World Famous Frisbee Dogs and Ron Diamond’s Hypnosis & Magic Show. Our Community Stage is now a destination for guests.
Again over 500 people performed on the “Clay’s Got Talent” Community Stage. Activities included cloggers, dance teams, vocalists, bands, diaper derby, toddler trot, bingo, and sweet- treat walk for seniors. Yes, we had a full slate of top-line enter- tainment and our guests enjoyed their performances. Our livestock exhibit was again a popular destination. The 4
-H/FFA Youth Livestock Sale produced $174,827 for 94 local 4 -H and FFA students to help with their college fund. Competitive exhibits totaled 3,366 this year. Demonstrations
in Painting & Photography continue to draw crowds. Our Early Florida Village continues to improve and be a
favorite of our guests. This year the Heritage Garden, Syrup House and Corn Crib were expanded. A new exhibit was the Milling House. This exhibit was very popular with our guests and media. Free food samples, demonstrators, and live enter- tainment made the village an enjoyable experience. Our Going Green effort was a success. With the profes-
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Clay County Fair Board of Directors and Fair Manager Pete Sutton pause for a group photo at the 25th Anni- versary Fair open- ing with Agricul- ture Commissioner Adam Putnam.
sional help of Waste Management, Clay County Environ- mental Services, and Keep Clay Beautiful we recycled 31.05 tons…that’s a lot that didn’t go to the landfill! We continued our Communication Committee, as recom-
mended by NICA. This year we had one meeting and it was very helpful in keeping open lines of communication. Yes, we enjoyed another great Fair. We continue to be
blessed with tremendous community support. Sponsor part- ners and over 900 dedicated volunteers take pride in our Fair. We have an awesome team! We appreciate the many visitors this year from our Florida
Fairs. You made us feel special. Thanks for coming! We have taken surveys and recapped our performance for
2011. Once we set our new Board of Directors after the An- nual Meeting in June, we will begin preparing for our 26th
An-
nual Fair. Our dates will be March 29, - April 7, 2012. Mark your calendars and come join the fun. Our team will work to make it a special experience.
Claude Kelly, Clay County Fair founder, Agriculture Commis- sioner Adam Putnam, and Chairman of the Board of Directors Larry Lancaster cut the ribbon to open the 25th Annual Clay County Fair.
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