The annual fair, sponsored by Storm King Engine Co. #2, was a rousing success, according to fire chief Jeff Armitage.
“We came out well,” he said. “The weather was good. We were up on everything. Everything was good.”
Armitage said Storm King doesn’t keep track of attendance, but crowds were steady each of the four nights.
Food sales were up about 40 percent from last year. Armitage attributed the jump to the sunny weather and comfortable temperatures.
When the sun is out and the temperature is reasonable people eat more, said Armitage. When it’s hotter, guests tend to drink more and eat less.
A majority of the fair, including rides, food, and entertainment remained the same from previous years, but two things were done differently.
With the rides, normally wristbands are handed out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, but not Saturday. This year, wristbands were sold all four nights providing access to unlimited rides for one flat price.
“Compared to last year, on a Saturday night, we were up about 10 percent, so the wristbands worked compared to selling tickets,” said Armitage.
On Friday night, a new band, the Ginger Snaps, entertained carnival goers. Adam and the All Stars returned for their traditional Saturday night performance.
Four camps graced the fields behind Cornwall-on-Hudson Elementary School. Kids from Camp Olmsted visited on Wednesday while campers from Butter Hill Day School and the town and village summer programs enjoyed the rides and games on Thursday.
Another change was the way the fire company delivered its fire safety demonstration. In the past, a car was cut open and a simulator brought to the fair. This year the fire safety trailer was brought from Orange County. Kids could go inside and experience what it’s like to be in a house filled with smoke. Fire prevention sessions were conducted for the camps, as well as during each of the four nights of the fair.
