THE BALLOON MAN

Delaware’s hottest ticket opens Thursday

By Sarika Jagtiani, Staff Writer Dover Post

Posted Jul 20, 2010

Dover, Del. — The Delaware State Fair has at least 11,507 fans, and that’s only counting the ones on Facebook. Danny Aguilar, assistant general manager and director of marketing, said they hope that 11,000 is just a taste of who will turn out once the gates open at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 22, when the fair officially starts its 10-day run.
Last year’s fair drew more than 300,000, a total Aguilar and company would like to hit again. They’re already luring people in with updates on Facebook, Twitter and through email, and will continue with that during the fair. They’re also using Flickr to make the fair more interactive, and will be asking visitors to post their own pictures to the site once the fair starts, Aguilar said.
Although organizers are always excited about the Grandstand entertainment, they’re geared up for the addition of Circus Hollywood to this year’s free entertainment. The circus performers will put on regular 45- to 50-minute shows complete with clowns, the globe of death motorcyclists, high-wire acts, animals and more.
“Most folks think, ‘A circus at the fair?’” Aguilar said. “It’s like what you would pay to see a traveling circus ... and it’s all part of the gate admission.”
Joining the circus are returning favorites Vocal Trash in the free entertainment tent, as well as traditions such as the nightly parade and demolition derbies Thursday, July 22, and Friday, July 30. Fireworks are planned for after the Paramore concert July 24 and the Jason Aldean concert Saturday, July 31.
Aguilar said one of the perks of this year’s fair is the inexpensive gate admission, which is again $6. Tickets are $5 if bought in advance, a bargain for the free entertainment offered once inside, Aguilar said.
“We’ve recognized through other fairs, earlier ones down south, that fairs very much benefit from recessions or economic challenges,” he said.