FRYEBURG — Fryeburg Fair recorded its first record day in three years Thursday.

Barry Emery, ticket superintendent here for the past 34 years, reported daily paid attendance of 20,483 on the fifth day of the fair, beating that day’s record of 19,764 set in 2001.

The last time the fair saw a record day came on Tuesday, Senior Citizens Day, in 2006. That mark of 17,014 was the only record set that year. This year, 13,636 paid to attend the fair on Senior Citizens Day, a time when seniors are admitted free.

Opening Sunday saw 18,269 pay to attend while Monday’s number came in at 24,282, close to the record of 26,017 set in 2004.

Emery said weather and the economy in recent years have dampened the fair’s record-setting pace over the last two decades.

“Over those three years, we’ve had some near-record days when the weather cooperated, but we’re also seeing the attendance spread out throughout the week,” Emery said.

Saturday always provides the fair’s largest attendance. The Grand Parade begins at 9 a.m. on the race track.