There really was "Magic in the Air" at the 2008 Porterville Fair, said organizers. The five day run tied the record-setting reports set in 2007.

"After all is said and done, financial reports show gates and parking for the 2008 run [generated] equal income with the record setting 2007 fair," said Susie Godfrey, consultant to the fair's board of directors. "Although temperatures were higher than usual for May, the community came out in full support of the Porterville Fair."

The fair is one of two in California that does not receive supplemental state funds but relies on the strong support of sponsors and donors for it's continued success, board chairman John Corkins said.

"With attendance and parking down 17 to 34 percent in the industry, we couldn't be more pleased," Corkins said.

Butler Amusements, the new carnival for the Porterville Fair also reached new sale heights.

"With a big selection of high quality rides and amusements for thrill seekers, young and old, carnival sales increased 73 percent from the 2007 carnival sales," Godfrey said.

Pre sale of carnival wristbands and tickets was slower than in previous years, but once the fair started, the wristbands were a hot seller, Godfrey said.

"We expected that. We were telling everyone that we were upgrading the rides but until they could see it - get on the site and experience it - they were not buying. They needed to see it with their own eyes. We made some good choices and offered a good product [that resulted in] a big increase in today's economy."

A couple of other fair records were also set.

"The 2008 Porterville Fair Jr. Livestock Sale set a record for the gross sale dollars spent," Corkins said. "We had add-on bids of $109,000 representing almost one third of this year's gross sale."

A grand champion beef by Layton Johns set a record when it sold for $13.40 per pound.

When the call to ‘Bid for the Kid' was made, the community responded, Godfrey said.

Auctioned animals, 246 of them - including 24 beef, 54 sheep, 112 swine, 16 goats, 10 rabbits and 30 chickens - brought in a total gross amount of $365,705.39. In 2007, 250 animals were sold for $339,750.54.

Average price per pound, and gross dollar amounts for the various animals at the 2008 fair are as follows: Beef, $3.00, $125,791.41; sheep, $4.96, $63,103.48; swine, $3.36, $153,164.46; goats, $4.75, $10,966. Rabbits grossed $1,525.60 and chickens, $11,155.00.
Godfrey said that fair officials feel extremely fortunate for the support of the community, sponsors, and donors for choosing to spend their dollars at the Porterville Fair.

"It shows the value of the true niche that the Porterville Fair has," Godfrey said. "A warm, country-fair niche - there are not very many of us out there anymore."

Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com