INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – With just two days left to the 2013 Indian River Firefighters’ Fair, Fair Manager Toby Turner expects attendance to hit 50,000 and this year’s fair to be in line with years’ past.
“We’re doing good,” Turner said, noting that attendance during the week has been less than that of last year – but that’s because the fair didn’t coincide with the School District’s Spring Break.
“We don’t follow the school calendar,” he said, explaining that, instead, the Firefighters’ Fair follows other area county fairs.
He has to be mindful of the St. Lucie County Fair, which is mindful of the Martin County Fair – and they all have to watch the carnival provider.
“We all sort of follow one another,” Turner said.
The fair continues today from 1 p.m. to Midnight and wraps up Sunday with hours from 1 to 10 p.m. at the Indian River County Fairgrounds on 58th Avenue just south of County Road 510.
Admission is $6 and parking is free.
New this year is the Disc-connected K-9’s Dog Show, which will perform at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday under the open air pavilion near the fair entrance.
“We’re really excited about having that,” Turner said.
On Friday night, the fair featured a karaoke contest that drew more than two-dozen adult and youth competitors.
Nicole Weimar, of Vero Beach, decided to take to the stage with her husband, Patrick, and two kids – 4-year-old Anthony and 6 ½-month-old Leonardo – in the audience.
“My whole life, I’ve loved to sing but have had bad stage fright,” Weimar said.
With Patrick’s encouragement, she said she could conquer her fear.
“He’s given me all the motivation in the world,” she said.
Weimar planned on singing “Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson – “It’s a big crowd pleaser.”
Outside the Livestock Pavilion, where the karaoke contest was held, thousands of people braved the carnival rides and took chances on the Midway games.
As shrieks of terror – from some – and of delight – from others – pierced through the hum of conversation, Skip and June Murphy took in the sights, watching the crowds walking by.
Skip, camera at the ready, snapped away while the Ferris Wheel paused to unload and load passengers.
“I just enjoy the photography,” Skip said.
“We people watch,” his wife, June, said.
The Sebastian couple has been attending the Firefighters’ Fair for the last nine years, ever since moving to the area from Pennsylvania.
While they come for the people watching and fair food, their main purpose is to support the firefighters, the couple said.
“It’s a great fair,” June said.
