Something to shout about

Lolita Harper

Gone were the lines of people waiting for rides, food and exhibits,

but evidence of their attendance could be found all around the deserted

Orange County Fairgrounds.

Less obvious than the trails of crushed beer cups and crumpled food

wrappers that littered the property Monday was the mountain of money

fairgoers dropped on this year’s record-breaking event.

Fair officials are boasting the most successful year in fair history,

bringing in record amounts of money and people.

Admission revenue rose 34%, or to $3.4 million, a sum nearly $1

million more than last year. Part of the increase comes from a $1 raise

in admission prices, but it can also be attributed to a 12% increase in

paid admissions, said Fair General Manager Becky Bailey-Finley.

Attendance records were also broken as a total of 843,347 people spent

time at the popular summer attraction.

Bailey-Finley said the positive energy from this year’s success will

be transferred to next year’s event, themed “Leap in the Fair -- We’re

making a big splash.”

“We’re going to have fun with the water theme next year. You have the

various elements of water, like health, recreation and agriculture,”

Bailey-Finley said. “Many vendors are already getting creative. There’s a

lot of momentum that will carry through to make next year’s fair just as

exciting and successful.”

While crews worked double shifts under the hot sun to break down 35

rides by Monday night, Ray Cammack Shows carnival officials reveled in

the fair’s success. The group provided the fair with 57 rides, 45 game

booths and 12 food stands, carnival spokesman Tony Fiori said.

The Arizona-based carnival group is due in Ventura on Wednesday, but

officials were already looking forward to returning to Costa Mesa next

year, Fiori said.

When asked if they would return, Fiori said, “Absolutely, this was the

biggest year ever.”

While large crowds were a blessing to many, they posed a potential

security problem, Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials said.

However, of the 843,347 people who attended, only 52 were arrested, down

from 145 arrests last year.

Sheriff’s Lt. Dennis DeMaio attributed the dramatic reduction in crime

to cooperation between fair and law enforcement officials and an increase

in deputy visibility. Most arrests were related to alcohol, he said.

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .