More South Florida Fair coverage

Who’s afraid of a little rain?

Even though the South Florida Fair was marred by several days of cloudy weather, the 17-day event, which concluded Jan. 31, saw a 2 percent increase in attendance this year – for a total of 545,561 patrons.

Fair officials attributed the increase to several factors, including an expo on America’s national parks that proved very popular.

“The national park rangers who visited, together with the fair patrons, were very impressed with the displays,” said fair Chief Executive Officer Rick Vymlatil.

Another key to the fair’s success: the decision to move the top-bill entertainers, including country star Luke Bryan and classic rockers Blue Oyster Cult, to an indoor venue. That meant fairgoers could be guaranteed a rain-free, climate-controlled show under any circumstance.

The fair also broke attendance records for three weekdays. Ride revenue was up overall as well by 4 percent.

The 2011 South Florida Fair is slated for Jan. 14-30.

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)

Photos, full fair coverage

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.

Sevendust plays for the sold out crowd at the South Florida Fair. (Photo by Keith Miller/The Palm Beach Post)

Fairgoers Wednesday got an extra treat thanks to a performance from rock/metal masters Sevendust.

Sevendust and opening act Hed(p.e.) performed as part of the South Florida Fair’s yearly concert lineup.

I was a little unsure when I heard that the show was going to be in the Expo center rather than the amphitheatre, but the Fair folks and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees’ (how’s that for a name?) Local 500 group of stage hands did an amazing job of turning a portion of that huge Expo Center into an intimate performance venue.

This mini-arena, designed to accommodate about 2,000 people, was completely sold out – which is no surprise considering even the last row of the general admission seats afforded a great view of the stage.
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Photos: South Florida Fair 2010

Schedule, events, stories: Complete fair guide

Sure, there are corn dogs aplenty. But have you tried that Donut Burger?

For South Florida Fair regulars, the opening of another year’s fair is all about what’s new. As in new rides, new attractions and, yes, new foods. Fried Pop-Tarts, anyone?

With today’s much-anticipated opening of the 17-day event, its time to assess the offerings. Here are five that fairgoers are sure to put on their checklists.

A new expo: This year’s exhibition is a tribute to America’s national parks, replete with everything from a faux giant sequoia tree to a gallery’s worth of pictures by famed Florida nature photographer Clyde Butcher. But the attraction that caught most fairgoers by surprise — literally — was a re-creation of the Old Faithful geyser, which releases a sudden spray every few minutes. “It’s like the real thing!” exclaimed Jordan Rick Segrini, 8, of Delray Beach.
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Newcomer David Nail is riding the wave of Red Light, his first top ten single, right into West Palm Beach Wednesday when he plays the South Florida Fair with Chris Young, who is celebrating his first No. 1, Getting You Home (The Black Dress Song.)

Nail took ten minutes out his hectic schedule to chat about his married life, the role song-writing plays in his life and how coaching baseball changed him.

Post: What a great year 2009 was for you!
David Nail: It has been. I’ve had a couple weeks to let things sink in, and relax and take it easy for a few days. Now I’m geared up, I’m on the bus heading to Memphis for our first show of the year and we’re excited.

Post: I thought it was beautiful that you followed the tradition and asked Catherine’s parents for her hand in marriage before you proposed.
Nail: That’s something down where I’m from that it’s almost frowned upon if you don’t. I knew that was something I was going to do, and I was more nervous than I’ve probably ever been, didn’t know exactly how to go about it, so I swallowed my pride and crossed my fingers that they would approve and they did.

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Event Listing: Ticket info, direction, more

So much to see, so little time.

That’s probably the first thought of every visitor to the South Florida Fair. After all, the 130-acre fair packs in a lot of fun during its 17-day run, which starts today at noon. Whether you come for the food, the rides, the games, the shopping, the entertainment or the exhibits, there’s always plenty to do.

So we’re going to make it a little easier, narrowing the list of “must sees” (and “must eats” and “must dos”) to 25. Of course, you’re welcome to add or subtract as you please. But if you start with this list, you’re almost certain to have a good time.

See you at the fair!

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Luke Bryan is the fair's first featured musical act, playing Tuesday at the Pepsi Stage. (Courtesy lukebryan.com)

When Luke Bryan takes the stage at the South Florida Fair on Tuesday, it will be his first show of the year.

“We’re excited about getting down there and trying it out. We’ll do a lot of stuff off the new album. But we might throw in a few surprises,” Bryan said by phone from Nashville.

It’s also the first show since his fourth single, Do I, topped the country charts. The heartsick ballad is a different breed than Bryan’s first three more lighthearted singles. Read the full story

From left to right, Harris Ranch models/greeters Lorena Arbelaez, Mia Foley, and Erica Lynn welcome visitors to the CBI Saloon at the Cheney Brothers Food Show at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Bruce R. Bennett/The Post

For all the financial woes local restaurants are facing, food supplier Greg Bates believes there is hope.
And it comes in the form of a duck wing.
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