Opening Friday at Puyallup Fair Breaks Attendance Record

86,332 pass through turnstiles, while sellout crowd of 8,443 enjoy Jason Aldean concert

Puyallup, WA – Sept. 11, 2009 – Opening Friday at the 2009 Puyallup Fair didn’t just start briskly on the turnstiles, it blew away the previous record that had been set last year. The Friday, September 11, 2009 Puyallup Fair gate attendance was 86,332. The Fair runs through Sept. 27.

This number trounced the 2008 opening Friday total by 10,310 guests, which came in at 76,022. The Puyallup Fair has operated as a 17-day event since 1983. It had opened on a Saturday from the mid 1940s to 1973, then 1979 to1982.

Blue sky weather that was in the high 80s, and the celebration of the last huge event in the Pacific Northwest for the summer were factors in reaching the high attendance.

The Fair kicked off at 10 a.m. with the Western Rodeo Parade and Cattle Drive through downtown Puyallup. This year, people stood five deep in places to watch the parade. It was largest crowd since the parade started in 2000. At the completion of the parade, everyone was invited to enjoy free gate admission until noon.

Due to the crowds and packed parking lots, Fair management made the decision to continue to offer free gate admission until 1 p.m., so those who had planned to pass the turnstiles before gate admission was charged could get parked and enjoy this exceptional deal.

The Justin Boots Playoffs of the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour offered rodeo action of the highest level. The top 24 competitors in each event were vying for a piece of the $540,000 purse – the largest ever in the Pacific Northwest. Friday’s evening rodeo concluded with a concert by country superstar, Jason Aldean, selling out the house with 8,443 attendees.

Al’s Brain, a brand new, 12,000 s.f. national traveling exhibit that is a brainchild of “Weird Al” Yankovic was an instant success. Crowds of every age loved the free exhibit, while learning about the brain in a fun and fascinating way. Highlights include a 3-D movie featuring “Weird Al” on the screen, the Pacific Science Center’s Brain Power hands-on activities, and information about the brain.

 The Puyallup Fair first started in 1900. This Pacific Northwest tradition is one of the top ten fairs in the world in attendance, and features big name entertainment, the PRCA Rodeo, rides, exhibits, food, flowers, and animals. For further information about the Sept. 11-27, 2009 Puyallup Fair, visit www.thefair.com or call the 24-hour hotline at (253) 841-5045.

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