The Utah State Fair opens an 11-day run on Thursday at the Utah State Fairpark with the confident theme, "America's Finest Fair." That theme, according to ambitious fair director Jackie Nokes, is based not only on its past success - 380,000 people came last year - but on the notable improvements for this year.
The fair sprinkling system has been automated to save time and money and to keep the lawns and flower beds green. Much blacktop has been removed and replaced with lawn. Grass now covers areas between horse barns.The barns themselves have been equipped with feeding stalls and mangers. White fencing now divides the equestrian area from parking lots, and stronger posts, jump bars and other improvements have been installed in the horse arena.
Although parking is available on the grounds, Nokes hopes some fairgoers will park in downtown Salt Lake City and take a Utah Transit Authority bus to the fairpark. Increased attendance has presented parking problems on Friday and Saturday nights, and many patrons are just staying longer.
This year patrons will not only have a full menu of celebrity entertainers to choose from, including some of the biggest names in pop and country music, but on Sept. 12, the grandstand will spotlight Utah talent.
The Utah Symphony will bring the fair to an impressive climax by performing a series of numbers at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 15, culminating in the "1812 Overture" and a fireworks display.
Fairgoers this year will see new and interesting pavilions, and in one unusual innovation, numerous restaurants will sell specialty dishes during the fair.
"America's Finest Fair" can be proud of its improvements. Some of its buildings have been abused over the years. No longer is that the case. Many of the structures are being restored, true to their historic integrity. The most well-known example is the Fairpark Grand Building, renamed from the Exposition Building after its remodeling in 1989.
Utahns should plan to usher in their family fall season by spending some time at this year's fair, which promises to be the most diverse and successful ever.