Monroe County Fair Attracts Thousands
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The County Fair brings in nearly a quarter million dollars annually. Despite scattered showers throughout the weekend, organizers say sales were consistent with last year.
"Our fans turned out for a great derby exhibition on Friday evening, says Jesse McCarthy, Executive Director of the Monroe County Fair. "We had about 1,100 people up in our bleachers and it turned out to be a really great cap to a great fair this year."
With more than 25,000 people coming through it's gates, Monroe County fair organizers thought outside the box when looking for new entertainment to draw a broader audience.
Performers from Aerial Arts of Rochester effortlessly twirled in the air, leaving spectators in awe.
Using hoops or two silk ribbons about thirty feet long, performers strategically wrap their arms and feet, allowing them to climb, spin, and fly through the air. Though these moves can be learned by attending classes, they are very demanding on the body.
"It's fun. You're flipping over, you're spinning. You get up high and you drop, go end over end. It's like your flying," says Aerial Arts Performer, Christopher Henry.
Christopher Henry, a software engineer, has been taking aerial arts classes for two years. His friends were very surprised when they learned of his new hobby.
"They were like 'what? really?' It just doesn't seem like they go together," said Henry. "It works the mind too, you have to really pay attention to spacial perception."
Whether you take the classes for exercise or hobby, he says there's no motivation like the lack of a safety harness or net.
"They'll be afraid to flip upside down and then once they do they'll be like 'Oh my God, this is amazing," says Henry.
A professional paint ball and laser tag crew also helped attract a different crowd this year. Sales from the fair will continue to go towards building a sense of community through youth, agriculture and technology.
"We try to support agriculture the best we can," says McCarthy. "We are partnering up with some other local organizations to have free events throughout the year in the dome here. We're not here to make money, we're here for the community. We're here to make a good quality event for family."