PUEBLO — Despite constant questions surrounding the viability of the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, early numbers show increased success at the 2019 fair.
Attendance numbers showed the fair needing just over 8,500 visitors on Monday to surpass 2018 attendance of more than 444,000.
General Manager Scott Stoller accredited the increased business to better options for entertainment and food.
"With the different concerts and what not, I think that's been well received. People have noticed that there's some new food stands here at the Fairgrounds, which are bigger and grander than a few of the ones we've had in the past," Stoller said.
Even before the fair closed down on Monday, he called the 2019 chapter a success.
"Overall feeling from staff, board and community input is that this fair has been very well received, and it shows because our attendance is going to report up at the end of the fair," Stoller said.
Glenn Polatty, a Pueblo resident, was one of many fair goers to come back for a second day.
He said he had to watch a high dive before the act left town.
"I think it's a real good fair. I really enjoy it," Polatty said. "It was amazing. He did a couple flips when he was coming down and he you just sit there in awe."
"It was amazing. He did a couple flips when he was coming down and he you just sit there in awe."
Stoller said his team has already decided upon a theme for next year's fair. It will be "Walk on the Wild Side", and he said they'll look to tie in entertainment and other exhibits into that theme.
