10/17/16   State Fair Attendance Up

Arkansas State Fair General Manager Ralph Shoptaw says attendance on the first day of the fair was up 16 percent over last year. Shoptaw says 24,742 people came to the fair Friday after rain early in the day cleared, compare to 20,619 on opening day 2015, when rains fell during the day.

The all-time opening day attendance record of 57,074 was set in 2008.

The 77^th Arkansas State Fair runs through October 23, and Shoptaw said the forecast is for rain-free weather for at least the next five days. Ouachita county extension service agent Keri Welch says Ouachita county will be well represented at the fair.