By Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen – TicketNews.com
The 2007 Oregon State Fair held in Salem, OR from Aug. 24-Sept. 3 saw an overall increase in attendance, up 2% following a 10% increase in 2006 over 2005. Several recognizable attendance precedents were established: On Saturday, Sept. 1, a single-day attendance record was set with over 49,000 people in attendance. . .
Heart, Daughtry, The All American Rejects, Jesse McCartney, Josh Turner & Keith Anderson all performed. Fair admission was free with the purchase of a concert ticket on or before Aug. 24. The Fair also hosted a number of free outdoor concerts with purchase of outside gate admission, including Radio Disney Kids, Joe Nichols, John Kay & Steppenwolf and Craig Morgan.
The 11-day event also recorded an everyday increase in paid admissions in comparison to the same day the previous year. Veterans Appreciation Day also saw a marked increase with over 9,300 veterans attending the 2007 Fair over 2,624 veterans attending in 2006.
“The number of first-time attendees is very important,” said Oregon State Fair Manager Dave Koellermeier in a statement. “We keep a close watch on this number and believe that the appeal of our new venues and our marketing campaign was a hit, as first-time attendees was up 16%.”
