For the first time in the history of the North Dakota State Fair both the Grandstand Country Showpass and the major rock concert (KISS) sold out. The Grandstand Showpass sold out with 16,000 Showpasses while KISS sold out with 15,082 Fairgoers in attendance. In addition to the success of the KISS concert, the CSRA Wounded Warrior Project earned $1 from each concert ticket purchased for KISS at the North Dakota State Fair on Saturday, July 24. This partnership between KISS and the North Dakota State Fair will directly impact and benefit members of the United States Armed Forces.
2010 sets the highest attendance (308,641) record the State Fair has seen since becoming a State Fair in 1966. The second largest year for attendance was achieved in 1983 with 300,790 people in attendance. Last year’s Fair takes third place with 296,819 people attending the Fair.
Commercial Booth Space at the State Fair was sold out, with 650 Commercial Vendors on grounds.
Renae Korslien, first-year Fair manager with decades of experience at the state’s showcase, said gratitude is her response for the nine-day event that attracted an all-time record of 308,641 in attendance. It concluded Saturday, July 31. “We have so much to be thankful for,” she said, “beginning with the state Legislature who funded our magnificent new Grandstand. The manager’s thank you list immediately extended to her hard working staff, to contractors who erected the $15 million structure in less than a year, to superintendents in charge of each facet of the Fair, to leaders and parents of the vital 4-H and FFA programs, and to the visitors who are the incentive for the Fair.
“Our audiences on the opening nights proved they agreed with the quality of entertainment we provided,” she said, “with Brooks & Dunn drawing 14,863 on July 23 and KISS rocking the rafters for 15,082 on July 24.” Korslien noted other groups also did very well: Darius Rucker on July 30 drew 10,700; Eric Church and The Band Perry July 25, 6,500; Sugarland, 14,200 on July 31; and Buckcherry, July 29; 7,008. The Grandstand also welcomed three well-attended events for auto fans: the Enduro Race July 26, bringing in 6,400; the Demolition Derby July 27; 3,800, and the Classic Car Show July 28, starring the Front Fenders and attracting 1,127 viewers.
“Weather was certainly a factor in our high attendance,” she said, “repeatedly dodging the bullet from rain and wind that could have affected every major Grandstand show.”
While Korslien congratulated staff and others for a job well done, she promised a continuing effort to improve the state’s major showcase.
The 2011 State Fair dates are July 22-30. For more information visit www.ndstatefair.com