The 2021 Wyoming State Fair sees a record year

DOUGLAS, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - In 2020, Wyoming hosted one of three state fairs that happened across the United States. With that came a record year for attendance, which left the Wyoming State Fair Board wondering how 2021 would surpass that.

“We are thrilled to report that we actually had a 16.8 percent increase of the number of people that came through our gates as paid attendees in 2021. So just continuing that upward trend. I think people are excited to be back at the state fairgrounds,” said Courtny Conkle, the general manger for the Wyoming State Fair.

The fair welcomed some new features this year, including a daily chainsaw carving demonstration and Play with Gravity, which were both very well received. The iconic Demolition Derby reach capacity this year, and the rodeo attendance was strong as well.

“It’s truly an ecosystem. It’s one of the few platforms that you see government, private business, mom and pop organizations, livestock, agriculture.... all those micro-industries working together to produce one incredible event,” said Conkle.

Livestock entries for youth exhibitors saw an increase, which staff says is always inspiring to see kids enjoying the fair in this way. The fair featured 83 commercial and food vendors...setting an all-time record.

Conkle says with trends staying this consistent, they are extremely optimistic for next year.

“We just want to continue growing that and making sure that there is something for everybody to come experience and enjoy. So we’re hopeful that next year we see even more growth, and it’s an even better presentation of the great state we get to serve,” said Conkle.

Conkle says that daily attendance also increased four out of five days of the fair.

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