More than 43,000 pass through King County Fair gates

Between the $1 root beer floats, hot summer days and three stages of free entertainment with the price of admission, it's hard to tell what drew the crowds to this year's King County Fair in Enumclaw.

With five full days of entertainment, shows and endless good clean fun, paid attendance at this year's county fair was solid with more than 43,000 visitors to Enumclaw.

While overall attendance didn't quite match 2004, thanks in part to a $1 admission on opening day last year, total revenue collected from paid ticket sales was up. Revenue from the gate in 2005 was at $143,432, an increase of about $40,000 collected at the gate in 2004.

"We really want to make this fair an annual family event and tried to make it enjoyable for all ages with non-stop entertainment running all day long at a reasonable cost," said Sharon Roberts, manager of the King County Fair. "This year our corporate sponsors played a key role in developing themed days and events at the fair which helped offset some of our costs. I feel confident we'll be paying our own way soon enough."

The Thomas Kemper and Dreyer's Root Beer Garden was a big hit and played host to the opening day Mayors' Ice Cream Social. Mayor John Wise of Enumclaw presided over a "Mayors' Float Building" contest with nine local mayors vying for the gold medal.

This year's contests also included the 2005 Royal Critter Crowning, won by Phoenix the Rooster. During Kasey Kahne Day, NASCAR fans could see Kasey's actual rookie car on display and enter to win a trip for four to the NEXTEL Cup Series Race in Fontana, CA, September 4. Tami Kahne drew the winner for the big grand prize and local resident, Manette Beavert, an avid NASCAR fan had the lucky ticket and is off to California in the fall.

Qwest mascot day was a big hit with fairgoers. Qwest's mascot Spirit the Dog, hosted the King County Fair Mascot Day. Fairgoers dressed as mascots earned free entry from 10 a.m. until noon and received gifts from Qwest. Joining Spirit the Dog was Blitz, the Seahawks mascot, the Seattle Thunderbird's Cool Bird and Washington Mutual's mascot Grubstake.

More than 20 vendors offered an international array of dishes, from Hawaiian fruit skewers to the traditional barbecued beef, turkey legs, corn dogs, ice cream and double dipped chocolate strawberries.

Included in the admission price was access to all the shows, with entertainment scheduled on three different stages. Admission prices were $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and $5 for seniors 62 and over.

The King County Fair is the oldest county fair west of the Mississippi and this year was held on Wednesday, July 20 and ended on Sunday, July 24.