Fair starts strong despite cold weather
If anyone was worried that cold weather would put a chill on opening weekend attendance, numbers at the 96th Southwest Florida Lee County Fair for the first few nights, showed little impact.
“It’s been cold, so the crowds have not been what we hoped for, but it’s been a good crowd, a steady crowd,” said Fran Crone, fair organizer. “Saturday has been wonderful. The crowds are steady, the midway and Kiddieland are full and there are lines waiting to get in.”
Mike Peak, president of the fair organization, agreed with the overall assessment.
“We’ve had good crowds, the weather is nice, and it’s a good family day today,” Peak said. “We’re down a little bit from last year and I’m sure the cool weather has had something to do with it. But it’s supposed to get warmer as we go along.”
A little brisk weather wasn’t much of an issue for many.
Joellen Venturi came from Estero with her husband and took a lap around the fair before going back to the entranceway to wait for her daughter and son-in-law.
“We come every year. It’s a nice night out. Good food, good music, good friends and walking around to see the shows and the animals, who I really like,” Venturi said.
There were a lot of shows to be had, including many inside the civic center as well as booths, where the theme was “Heroes of Education”
Among the performers were the dancers from Melody lane Performing Arts Studio in Cape Coral, featuring dancers from 5 to 18.
Jara St. Firman, co-director, said the studio has made the fair an annual ritual.
“Our students work very hard,” St. Fermin said, adding they begin their efforts in September.
“We did well, even when music went down. We teach the kids to keep going even when something goes wrong.”
Meanwhile, in the music tent, Renata The Band, a trio of teenage siblings, performed covers and originals from the Southern Rock genre. It is their second trip to the Lee Civic Center.
Adrian Rolf, 17, has performed with the trio for three years but with Matt’s Family Jam, their other band, since she was a young child.
“We get compared to the Partridge Family a lot. We do about 15 fairs a year and we spend a lot of time in Nashville,” Adrian said. “We do up to 300 shows a year and do several a day at fairs.”
Ben Rolf, the drummer, started at age 4. Colin Rolf, guitarist, is now 20. They agreed that 66 degrees and sunny beats the snow in Nashville.
Kristen Johnson, aka Lady Houdini, did her trademark escape from a water chamber, an act she has done more than 2,600 times over the course of 17 years. Her namesake, Harry Houdini, did it about 1,000 times.
“It is most noteworthy of Houdini’s accomplishments. I do it in full view and not behind a curtain. Me and my husband did a full illusion show and decided I wanted to be an equal partner and I wasn’t a showgirl type, so I did something to solidify my position in the show,” Johnson said.
The Southwest Florida Lee County Fair continues at the Lee Civic Center through Sunday.
It once again features the kids from 4-H showing off their livestock for the judges, thrilling rides, fun shows and incredibly delicious (though not too healthy) food for everyone to enjoy.
Thursday will offer pay-one-price for $25, including gate admission and rides.
On Friday, Moonlight Madness will again be featured from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., where a $25 wristband will get you entrance and on all the rides.
Saturday and Sunday will feature $40 wristbands after regular admission costs with things starting at 11 a.m.
There will also be a Last Blast Special on the final day of the fair, which is usually kept a secret until the day before.
There are livestock shows daily, with awards given for the best pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits and more, leading up to the Market Animal Auction on Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m.
Activities inside the civic center include The Crafting Corner, The Community Stage, where school choruses, bands and dance teams will perform, a 4-H Talent Show, a fifth grade math bee, school and 4-H Club booth exhibits and the Miss Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair Beauty Contest.
Adult admission is $10 and children 6 to 11 is $5. Tickets are $8 adult and $4 children if purchased in advance. Parking is free. Gates open Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays at 4 p.m. and Wednesday at 2 p.m.
The Lee County Civic Center is at 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers.
For additional information about the fair, please go to swflcfair.com.