Officials hoping for big turnout at Boone County Fair, two years after fair moves to Sturgeon

ABC 17 News is monitoring attendance at the Boone County Fair, two years after the fair moved to Sturgeon.

The fair had a relatively low turnout in 2016, its first year in Sturgeon, followed by an even smaller turnout in 2017.

President Jeff Cook previously told ABC 17 News about 4,500 people came to the fair in Sturgeon in 2017. That was about 2,500 less people than what the fairgrounds saw in 2016. Organizers believe last year’s extreme heat also contributed to the low numbers.

This year, organizers are more optimistic. Asked if he expects a better turnout, Boone County Fair President Jeff Cook replied, “We hope so. Last year, it was just horrible. At 8 o’clock 9 o clock at night it was still in the 90s. [This year] we’ve been blessed with the weather we’re having and it’s nice and cool.”

The fair got off to a rough start this year as well after a “miscommunication” about Tuesday morning’s safety spot inspections at the carnival. The inspection turned up minor safety concerns, but they were quickly fixed and the carnival reopened at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

“We were really pleased with everybody who’s come on out. Our concessions almost ran out of food. One of our concessions had to go to the store and get more food. So that was very encouraging,” Cook said. “And of course, it was a beautiful evening. You know we really liked that people came on out. We had no complaints.”