Local News

State Fair Attendance Down From Last Year

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The first weekend of the State Fair is in the books Monday morning, and things are different from than last year.

On Saturday, more than 103,512 people enjoyed the food and fun, but that was nearly 15,000 fewer than last year's record-setting Saturday attendance. Sunday's attendance did not fare much better with 90,153. Last year on the third day of the fair, attendance was 95,043.

Combine that with opening day numbers, and this year's fair attendance is down from last year's mark.

While weather was perfect for the opening weekend, some of the rides were not. On Saturday night, the ferris wheel and nine other rides were not running. Initally, only 23 of the 111 rides at the State Fair passed state safety standards.

Five rides were still out of business Sunday. There is no timetable for when all of the rides will be working.

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