Butte-Lawrence County Fair board president Jim Kokesh estimates the public attendance for the 2009 shows and events was slightly more than last year.

"We had good attendance every day, you don't know know just how many," he said. He estimated there were about 500 to 600 people a day, with a surge to 1,350 served for a Thursday night free barbecue.

He also said the number sheep entries were up this year for the annual 4-H and open class judging.

The talents of Butte and Lawrence county residents are on annual display at the fair, but the annual range of talents can depend on economics and weather.

Hand-sewn clothing entries at the fair are dwindling in numbers.

Fair board member Rea Weyrich said there were only 25 entries in the 4-H division.

"The patterns have gotten so expensive," Weyrich said.

The fashion review and style show had only 11 entries, but a couple of those were purchased ensembles.

The open class had three entries of constructed clothing. There were a few quilts and a variety of other sewing projects.

"No one wants to pay for the sewing patters. They're too expensive," said Julia Kinghorn as she worked to update fair records for open class entries.

This year's fair saw a few more display booths, but baked goods numbers were down. Artwork and craft entry numbers were about the same as last year.

Horticulture entries were low.

"It varies by what doesn't get hailed out and what they can find," Kinghorn said.

Weyrich said the 54 horticulture numbers were comparative to the 55 entries in 2001.

But entry numbers had climbed to 104 in 2007, then continued to drop back quickly.

Open class officials said canned goods numbers had increased, but in an unusual way - wine entries.

The entries weren't just the standard grape wines. They included chokecherry, honey, peach, pear, blackberry and rhubarb.