So far, so good at the Big Fresno Fair.
As the event hit the first weekend of its 12-day run, Chief Executive Officer John Alkire said attendance is up over last year, though he had no hard numbers.
"I'm very pleased with the start," he said. "From the carnival midway to Butler Gate, food concessions are up and the gate is strong."
Tony Boghosian, co-owner of Chicken Charlie's, said business so far is up 30% to 35% over last year. And last year was up 40% from 2007. "It's a phenomenal start," he said.
Fresno is outpacing county fairs in Orange and Los Angeles counties, and keeping up with increases seen in San Diego, Boghosian said.
In a dash to determine second and third place in the Mutton Bustin’ competition, Zach Butts, 5, right, beats out Ryan Warren, 4, left, Saturday at the Big Fresno Fair.
Fairgoers stroll the Big Fresno Fair, where attendance so far reportedly has increased.
Of particular note is horse racing, where the amount of money wagered by people at the track Friday was up 21% over the same day last year, Alkire said. Friday also saw what was likely a record 12,000 people in the grandstand.
Typically, track attendance during the second weekend tops the first weekend, he added.
Not part of that measure is off-track betting, which Alkire said is up as well.
The main reason is the competition -- or lack thereof. For the first time, Fresno is the only Northern California track running.
In past years, it had to compete with Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows.
At the Paul Paul Theater, The Beach Boys probably was a sellout, and Alkire said sales are strong for the Stone Temple Pilots, Dwight Yoakam and Los Tigres del Norte. As for Los Lobos and MC Hammer & Tone Loc, "the jury is still out," he said.
Said Boghosian: "Even in a bad economy, people are going to come out."
The fair, he said, still represents a good value.
The only possible blip is the weather. Rain is a possibility Monday through Wednesday. That would most likely hold down attendance. The good news is that the rain isn't forecast for a busy weekend day.
On Saturday, crowds enjoyed near-perfect fall weather. Among the new attractions is "Mutton Busters," where kids 6 or younger, or 60 pounds or lighter, sign up to ride sheep in what amounts to a pint-sized rodeo. Helmet-wearing children try to hold on for six seconds.
On Saturday, the daily Fresno winners will compete against each other for the overall fair winner. Then, on Sunday, winners from other fairs across the nation where the Mutton Busters have been before Fresno have been invited here to crown a national champion.
ESPN is scheduled to film it, and the winner will receive a $5,000 savings bond.
"It's been huge so far," fair spokeswoman Danielle Lebouef said of the event, which drew a packed crowd Saturday afternoon.
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