Fairgoers who stood in lines 30 deep for food, rides and attractions might have wondered Saturday if attendance had reached an all-time peak in Barnum.
Alas, the Carlton County Fair concluded its marquee day with roughly 9,100 paid visitors, off the pace from last year's record-setting 9,800.
"It was a good week, but nothing compared to last year," fair manager Lindsey Larson said. "We had fabulous numbers Saturday, but it didn't beat last year with everyone coming out after Covid. It was still busy and good to see everybody. There were a lot of happy people."
The Carlton County Agriculture and Industrial Association, which owns and operates the fair, won't have official attendance figures tallied for another couple of weeks. After the completion of teardown Monday, it was time for Larson and her team to kick up their heels and relax for a moment.
"It's a good event and it takes a village," Larson said. "It's got that hometown feel still. It's got a little bit of everything. It's not just a carnival, not just 4-H, not just ag barns or all vendors. It's a good mixture."