Attendance at the State Fair in Sedalia is down about ten percent from last, but last year drew record crowds to the Fair.

State Fair Director Mark Wolfe says that talk at the Fair is the talk Missourians like to engage in most: the weather.

“Talks been about heat the first three days and we’re used to dealing with that at times. It does affect attendance,” Wolfe tells the Missourinet. “I think our attendance was very good. We’re really comparing that against last year when we had almost record crowds and just absolutely beautiful weather. On an average, I think our attendance was fine.”

More than 340,000 attended the State Fair last year. Wolfe says the extremely hot weather last week held down attendance. He says it has picked up this week with a break in the heat wave. He expects a strong finish this weekend, especially with the concerts scheduled, which includes Missouri’s own Sheryl Crow.

State Fair Web site

AUDIO: State Fair Director Mark Wolfe talks with Brent Martin [2:15 MP3]