Napa fair attendance breaks records

By KEVIN COURTNEY
Register Staff Writer

Napa Town and Country Fair attendance grew nearly 2 percent this year, perhaps benefiting from higher gas prices that had more people vacationing close to home.

Total attendance was 60,703, an increase of 1,347 from last year and the highest total in 10 years, Napa Valley Expo CEO Joe Anderson said.

Anderson credited economic concerns and a popular entertainment lineup for the strong gate. “In a tough economic time, gas prices being what they are, people are staying closer to home,” he said.

The fair opened with two popular acts, Manhattan Transfer and Tower of Power, that filled the Plaza Stage arena, with country and western singer Colin Raye Anderson doing well on Friday night, Anderson said. “Our entertainment lineup was strong,” he said. The concerts were free with the price of fair admission.

The Destruction Derby, a mainstay of the Saturday and Sunday lineups, bounced back with a 6.5 percent jump in attendance, Anderson said.

A Friday night, Mexican-themed rodeo and concert in the grandstand arena was not a success, drawing slightly more than 400 people, Anderson said. “I think the promoter probably lost money on it,” he said.

Both the Destruction Derby and the rodeo and concert event required an additional admission fee.

This year’s fair theme, Fiesta de Napa, caused a flap when it was announced in February. Critics accusing the fair of appealing to immigrants.

In the end, the controversy faded, Anderson said. “It was only a theme,” he said. The fair had the same mix of entertainment as always, he said.

Taking stock

The economic climate may have hurt the Junior Livestock Auction, where bids on animals totaled $662,435, down 20 percent from the year before, Anderson said.

Last year, the average animal sold for $1,775, or $8.18 per pound. This year’s average was $1,496, or $6.60 a pound, Anderson said.

“I think that’s every bit the economy,” he said. The number of animals put up for auction dropped 4 percent from 425 to 408.

Auction highlights included:

• Grand Champion Market Lamb: Nicole Timm, Browns Valley 4-H, selling for $17 a pound, or $2,448, to Rudd Wines Inc. and Press restaurant.

• Grand Champion Market Steer: Pookie McGlothern, Las Amigas 4-H, selling for $5.50 a pound, or $6,726, to the employees of Bell Products Inc.

• Supreme Champion Market Hog: James Regusci of St. Helena FFA, selling for $42 a pound, or $11,508, to Jason Lauritsen & Maher Viticulture Service.

• Grand Champion Market Goat: Madeleine Yoakum of 4-Leaf Clover 4-H, selling for $10 a pound, or $960, to Randal Wiig Vineyard Development.

• Grand Champion Broiler Meat Pen: Zachary Blackwood, 4-Leaf Clover 4-H, selling to Bob and Sylvia Pestoni for $550.

• Grand Champion Turkey Meat Pen: Katelyn Smith of Napa FFA selling to Andrews and Thornley for $900.

• Grand Champion Rabbit Meat Pen: Katelyn Smith of Napa FFA selling to Joe and Melanie Oberting for $500.

Homemaker of the year was awarded to Linda Feutz of Napa.

The karaoke winners were: Adult division, Jessica Adlawan, first place; Kristen VanDyke, second place; Adam Jobe, third place. In the junior division, the winners were: Alexia Clark, first; Malia Sittler, second, and Camille Markovich, third.

WestAmerica Bank, One Financial Plaza, won Decorated Lobby honors, while Community Projects won Decorated Window.

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