Editor,
Concerning the recent article on the Benton County Fair by Dan Holtmeyer, and its drop in attendance, it is not hard to see why it went from 30,000 people to 15,000 people after the move to the new location. In three words ... August summer heat!
Since they moved the date from mid September to August, no one wants to go out in such heat. My sister-in-law almost passed out a few years ago at the fair because of the heat, and my wife refuses to go because of the heat. I rarely go -- just long enough to place an exhibit and pick it up.
Since the move, every August has been hot, hot, hot, except the last two, 2013 and 2014, which were fairly mild, in the low 90s.
The animals are heat stressed, and many exhibitors have decided not to show any more due to the heat.
Now, what if we have heat like 1984 when it got up to 110 degrees, or 2004 when it got up to 105 degrees, the animals will already be cooked and ready to eat, on the hoof!
I've been in Benton County off and on for the last 58 years and all summers have all been extremely hot except the last two. I don't think it is a trend toward cooler August weather.
Randall Nix
Gentry
Editorial on 08/27/2014