Fun at the Cochise County Fair

Four days of fun and festivities ended Sunday night when the 2012 Cochise County Fair came to an end.

While overall attendance numbers were not available at press time Cochise County Fairgrounds General Manager Karen Strongin estimated that at least 20,000 people attended the fair this year.

Overall participation numbers seemed to be up this year as well. Officials for the livestock exhibits reported increases in the beef, sheep and swine classes. Increases were also noted in the photography as well as other exhibits as well.

The 88th annual fair kicked off Thursday, Sept. 27, with recognition of one of the co-sponsors of the event, the Arizona Community Foundation Southeast Region. Carol Sanger, foundation board member, presented the fair association with a check for $1,000 before cutting the ribbon to officially open the fair.

Strongin, acknowledged the gift and thanked Sanger and the other sponsors of the fair, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors and Brown Amusement.

Srongin added that early estimates indicate attendance as a whole was up this year. She said the crowds were good all four days but Thursday was better than expected.

As far as the entertainment Jeff Martin the magician, had kids around him everywhere he went and Karen Quest was a hit with her cowgirl tricks.

The Alaskan Pig Races had a crowd every time they raced which was three times a day all four days.

“Overall I was very pleased with how things went,” Strongin said. “Things ran smooth. The weather cooperated. I thought it was a very good fair.”