FRYEBURG – Spectacular weather on Senior Citizen Day on Tuesday helped propel Fryeburg Fair to its first attendance record of the week.
After counting receipts Wednesday morning, ticket Superintendent Barry Emery reported that Monday’s gate of 17,014 broke the record of 15,496 set in 2000. Last year saw 15,145.
“The crowd seemed about like a 30,000-people day so I’m estimating that we had more than 15,000 seniors on the grounds,” Emery said. “It was really packed out there.”
Daily attendance figures do not include seniors on Tuesday, children under 12, pass holders and life memberships.
The record year’s daily paid attendance came in 2004 at just under 200,000 people. There were no records set in 2005 although there were several near-record days. Six days of sunshine gave way to two rain-drenched days, leaving the fair with an attendance of 147,317 and a canceled Saturday parade.
Emery, who is in his 31st year as head of the ticket department, was optimistic the sunny forecast through the weekend would attract a large crowd.
“Every yard along Route 5 is parking cars,” he said, noting that he has never seen that before. “I think it’s great. They’re making money this week and people coming to the fair are able to park near the front gate.”
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