Weber officials: Fair successful

OGDEN -- With this year's Weber County Fair now history, the fair board is already analyzing the events and planning improvements for next year.
Fair manager Jan Wilson said the year was successful, although a few of this year's changes could have been better implemented.
More than 45,000 people attended, but exact final numbers on revenue and attendance will not be available until Sept. 10.
Because of budget concerns, the board had decided not to bring in a big-name entertainer, instead choosing four local acts to perform in the grandstand. Since the concept was new, many people didn't know about the performances, said Mike Mathieu, board chairman and Ogden fire chief.
"I don't know the attendance was as high as it could have been, because I don't know that people realized it was over there," he said.
He said the larger arena didn't work as well with celebrity impersonator Jason Hewlitt's act, either, because the audience was too far away to see his facial expressions.
The demolition derby is getting more and more popular every year, said Jennifer Graham, recreation facilities director.
Tickets sold out earlier this year, with one man buying $1,500 worth of tickets for his family and friends.
Next year Graham said she would like more things available online.
Wilson said a text-message scavenger hunt was a big success and will come back next year.
Immediate updates about event winners, weather, traffic and other fair-related issues need to be put on the fair Web site, Graham said.
Donna Carter, board member and 4-H extension agent, wants animal registration to be available online. Rather than only being able to print out the registration form, she is hoping next year residents can fill out the form and pay the fee online.
The board also discussed the idea of getting a Facebook page for greater community interaction, although no final decision was made.
Mathieu said he thinks the fair was a success, especially considering the pessimistic outlook last year as the economy started to falter.