NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
After years of disappointing attendance and uncertainty, the tide may be turning for the Tennessee State Fair. Organizers officially opened the gates Friday. Since then they report seeing a steady stream of visitors to the Nashville Fairgrounds.
And they're off! From the pig races to the rides, the 106th Tennessee State Fair is officially under way. Hundreds of people packed the fairgrounds Sunday night, two days after the gates opened.
Organizers can't release official ticket sales until Monday when presale tickets are counted. But Katie Radel with the Tennessee State Fair Association said if this weekend is any indication, things are looking up.
"So far it's really going great. We've had great weather."
This is the first time the fair opened since the state took over, which now falls under the state Department of Agriculture. Until this year it'd been controlled by a Metro board. One of the issues the state grappled with was what to do with the city-owned Fairgrounds
"Our fair has some politics surrounding it," Radel admitted. "But we have pulled all of our commissions and boards together and we're working to make it the best possible fair."
Hoping to draw more people to the fair, organizers added several new attractions, including one of the biggest equestrian events.
But politics aside, fair goers we talked to, like Jennifer Morrow, only cared about one thing.
"I just came to eat."
Parents Robb and Kim Campbell thought it was a fun time for the whole family.
Robb Campbell said, "Wanted to come out and have them experience the fair and the rides and the food and the atmosphere and the music and just have some fun."
His wife Kim Campbell had a slightly different take.
"It doesn't seem big enough when you say TN State Fair... It is what it is. Enjoy what it is."
And that's exactly what these fair goers said they plan to do.
Lakeisha Talley has been coming to the fair since she was a teenager and wanted her children to have the same experience.
"It's a good thing to bring your kids and enjoy family time."
Something else that's new this year - organizers are conducting exit surveys. They're asking visitors to fill out a little questionnaire about their time at the fair. Radel said they'll then take the feedback to make improvements to next year's fair.
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