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Clive Clough of Boynton Beach holds daughter Makayla, 6, after she competed in a cheerleading competition during the last day of the South Florida Fair on Sunday. (Richard Graulich/The Palm Beach Post)
The last doughnut burger has been devoured.
The South Florida Fair concluded its 17-day run today, with patrons enjoying a final day’s worth of rides, shows and favorite fair foods, including, yes, an all-beef patty served on a glazed doughnut.
“It was the talk of the event,” said fair spokesman John Picano of the burger, which was a new item offered by longtime fair food vendor Porky’s.
While fair officials won’t release the final attendance figures until later this week, they hinted that the news might not be overly positive. This year’s culprit? The weather, naturally.
“We had clouds and a threat of showers on multiple days,” said fair President Rick Vymlatil.
But even if the gray skies were still in place on the fair’s final day, it didn’t keep everyone away. Fair officials said they broke attendance and ride revenue records on several days.
Part of the fair’s success may have been due to this year’s popular expo, which celebrated America’s national parks and featured park rangers from throughout the country.
But entertainment was another factor, especially since the fair moved its main acts, from classic rockers Blue Oyster Cult to contemporary Christian group MercyMe, to an indoor stage for the first time in recent memory. The new venue guaranteed fairgoers a rain-free, temperature-controlled experience.
“I would say all the shows were at capacity, if not standing-room-only,” said Picano, who added that the fair plans on keeping the shows indoors for next year.
And what about on the midway? The big hits included a few new attractions, such as a swing ride that had fairgoers spinning in a circle from a height of about 100 feet.
But Frank Zaitshik of Wade Shows, which handles the fair’s midway, is the first to say that rides may be the big draw, but they’re not what truly distinguish an event like the South Florida Fair, which also features livestock and agricultural exhibitions and the Yesteryear Village historical attraction.
Take all that away and you’ve got “a carnival in a parking lot,” said Zaitshik. But put together a multifaceted event like the South Florida Fair and “you’ve got something for everyone,” Zaitshik concluded.
Maybe cause is the steep price of admission? Local economy? Many unemployed?
Yeah, the economy may have something to to with it.Maybe,between the hundreds of $ you have to fork out AND being that the weekend evenings are prime family time,but,it seams like thug night at the fair!Is it just me or does it look like a gang war can break out any minute on a weekend evening at the fair in Palm Beach? I`m sure the local police,with all their buget cuts and union issues are right on the job as far as that goes.
Thug Night? You might as well say “black” night at the fair. Don’t be so counterproductive and judge people by what they are wearing or how they look. In today’s society that’s racism and evidently you are a prime example that it still exists today. I attended the fair Saturday and there was no fighting, no gangs, no gang war! These “thugs” paid to be there just like everyone else so before you judge them judge yourself!
I agree with both previous posts. The fair is just another reason to rip off the public and to get gang bangers together.
You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves acting like you live in such a gang filled and dangerous place. You live in Palm Beach County for God sakes, not Detroit or Compton. Stop watching so much TV and don’t believe everything you here. Get real and stop being so judgmental.
With the heavy police/sheriff’s presence, me and my girlfriend don’t feel threatened at all by the kids. They are just having fun like us, and we are in our 40s. However, the prices are getting out of control…$10 for a pork chop? $8 for a sticky bun? We go by ourselves one Saturday every year from like 2pm-9pm but not so sure we can afford it pretty soon. We easily drop $150-$200 between us. And how could a family of four or six could afford it??
I often ask the exact question of how could a family of four or six could afford it?? However, someone gave me the answer and said easy “simply miss paying a bill and enjoy it only comes once a year” so here is the answer they we were both curious about.
What hurt attendance more than anything is the fact that it’s so ridiculously expensive and NOT ONCE will anyone who works there ever say “Please” or “Thank you”.
@ Shay: wake up. Palm Beach County is plenty violent. There’s a ton of poo-poo heads walking around the fair acting foolish, using foul language and otherwise being disrespectful of people there on a family outing. They DO NOT have the right to do that. And yes, people feel threatened and feel like a fight could break out at any time.
If you like them so much maybe they can all come over to your house next year?
gang fights? Not. Its just the band of disrespectful people. Same losers that killed the Palm Beach Mall. When a hallway is 15 foot wide and you walk 6 or 7 wide and take the entire width of it its just plain rude. They’re usually dressed in baggy red clothes, have crooked hats, and say, “you know what im sayin” a lot.
Intimidating people is not a social value.
Look i am in no way racist at all. I went to palm beach lakes, i lived on 34th and eastview. But lets be real here… the way you want people to percieve you as is the way people will look at you. Regardless of race, if u wanna look like you bangin, guess what? People will think your into the violent culter of gang bangin and all that nonsense. Half the kids out there lookin like that live out in Royal Palm and Wellington, not anyone to sweat anyway. Don’t get me wrong. Theres stil racism out there but its just the way people see some people.
Geezus, people! I was at the fair, and though there were all kinds there, the only threat I sensed was from the pushy game vendors! It’s nice that they have a variety of activities and displays, but, I could have spent that money elsewhere. National park display was tacky. Food was yucky and pricey. Rides, well, I’m too old to enjoy slushing my brain.
Worth the price of admission just for the people watching. Went twice, bought tickets ahead of time, went opening day and utilized the deal they had going of using the tickets again, so I spent $10 to get in twice. Bought a minimal amount of food and mainly enjoyed the free activities. Can’t wait until next year!
I felt like i was robbed blind this year. I would of been ok with 1 or 2 rides removed but it seemed like 1/4 of the rides were removed and replaced with instant heart attack food vendors. How dare they remove rides, raise food prices, and still charge us the same price to get in and for the wristband. As for the “gang banger” conversation, go before 6 pm to the fair if you dont want to see rude people. If you go to midnight madness your just asking to see them.
Its way too packed for me…but some like being packed into a sardine can…most of them live that way as well…
I was at the fair several nights; I did not see a problem with anyone. The crowd was excited, and everyone behaved themselves. I was never worried or concerned about a disturbance. The kids were having fun the mid-way was hilarious with screams. Looking at all the positives the fair was a huge success!! Can’t wait for next year!
The Fee is ridicules and the gangs and fights are horrible. The South Florida Fair is no longer a family oriented environment. I will never return to the fair. I rather go to an amassment park for more family oriented and a safer environment for my family