The 164th St. Joseph County Grange Fair is in the books and its organizers report a 12 percent increase in attendance over 2013.
Fair manager Bill Johnson said more than 148,000 people attended the 2014 fair, up from more than 140,000 last year.
Outside of two downpours Saturday, weather was a positive factor over the course of the seven-day event.
Johnson said nightly grandstand attractions consistently drew large crowds, and the rest of the fairgrounds were especially busy Friday and Saturday.
A new tradition started Saturday saw Constantine’s Riverside Elementary Principal Steve Wilson win a pie-eating contest and fundraiser. For his effort, more than $1,000 will be donated to Helen DeVoss Childrens Hospital.
Meanwhile, Bristol, Ind., resident Cathy Bradbury was the winner of the John Deere Gator raffle.