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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A change in the carnival midway for the 117th Stutsman County Fair seemed to be just the ticket to increase attendance.

According to Mike Williams, an officer and Board President for the Stutsman County Fair, attendance was up 23% from last year.

“Our attendance, without a turn-style, totaled about 32,775 people. That includes exhibitors, paid patrons, children, gate entry, and all of the workers for the fair.” Williams stated.

The fair this year was filled with rides with the Murphy Brothers Exposition. According to Williams, the carnival brought 21 rides plus games and offered more spectacular rides. The Murphy Brothers Exposition had serviced the Stutsman County Fair before in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s and this year marked the return after a 20 year absence.

“Jerry Murphy, one of the owners of the exposition, said it was like homecoming to his old high school where he really got his teeth cut.” Williams stated.

Christian Rittenbach with the Stutsman County Extension Agency also had some rough numbers for 4-H entry’s in this year’s fair.

“For static entry’s, we had a total of about 1,055 entrants. That number might be a little lower though as that isn’t including drops.” Rittenbach stated. She also stated that there were roughly 598 livestock entry’s in the fair, but that number isn’t including the drops either.

The 118th Stutsman County Fair is already scheduled for July 1st through the 4th. Fireworks will be lit on the 4th to celebrate Independence Day and to mark the end of the fair.