While some fairs in other parts of the country are being hurt by the national recession, the Central States Fair may benefit from their struggles, at least as far as the number of vendors selling their wares.

The Central States Fair, which starts today in Rapid City, will see a sizeable jump in the number of vendors, from 118 last year, to 143 this year. The fair runs through Sunday, Aug.30.

"This will be first time we've completely filled every inch of the fairgrounds with vendors," said Central States Fair general manager Ron Jeffries. "We just wedged them in. We've never had that in the 13 years I've been here."

Pam Teller, vendor coordinator for the fair, said the Soule Building will be full for the first time in several years.

Teller said the fair hasn't expanded its vendor space so much as reconfigured existing space to accommodate the increased number of vendors. "If I can create some additional space, I might have a few more," she said.

Teller said she thinks the additional vendors here are a result of fairs, festivals and other shows elsewhere in the country that have not done well or have even canceled.

"I think there are some shows throughout the country that have not been successful for some vendors," Teller said. "They're looking for additional shows to participate in."

Teller said vendors from elsewhere have been attracted both by the Central States Fair's reputation and by its dates, which provide a stop between other shows.

That's true for Gary and Marie Porn, who brought their Waxed Hands & Roses booth to the Rapid City show for the first time this year. They were at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas, Wyo., last week and will travel to Huron for the South Dakota State Fair after the Central States Fair ends.

The economy played a role, too, said Gary Porn. "In the Northeast the last couple of years, it was getting tough," he said.

"We just wanted to try a different route," Porn said. The couple makes and sells wax items, including molds made of people's hands.

Teller also said this region's economy has not been affected as much as those in other parts of the country, although Porn said his business was slow at the Wyoming State Fair.

Fairs elsewhere in the country have reported a downturn in sponsorships from businesses hard hit by the recession.

Jeffries said the Central States Fair gained some sponsorships and lost others, which he attributed to competition.

"We've gained more than we've lost," he said, noting particularly the addition of Black Hills Power, which is helping sponsor the fair's concert series this year and has helped with electrical upgrades in the fairgrounds' campground.

Jeffries said Wednesday that ticket sales so far were running about even with last year.

He said the fair typically draws about 160,000 people.

In Sioux Falls, the Sioux Empire Fair wrapped up Sunday and attendance seemed solid overall despite rain all day Saturday, Aug. 15, said Ron Wieman, chairman of the Sioux Empire Fair Association. "All in all, we feel we had one of the better-attended fairs in recent years," he said.

Wieman said most vendors were satisfied with their business and planned to come back.

The Sioux Empire Fair faced an additional challenge this year after an office manager was convicted of embezzling $647,000.

But Wieman said the community has stepped up to support the fair with labor, equipment and donations.

In the Black Hills, the Custer County Fair, which wrapped up last weekend, had good participation and attendance, and more vendors than in the past, fair board president Tim Allen said.

He said the fair organization also has been able to make improvements on the fairgrounds in Hermosa, including new tin on the grandstand and on other fairgrounds buildings.

The Fall River County Fair, held July 29-Aug. 1, had a "super turnout," said fair board president Kerry Barker. He said the grandstands were full for rodeo and the demolition derby, and attendance was good for other events, too.

Jeffries said fairs offer inexpensive family entertainment, particularly in tough economic times.

"I think a lot of families are going to vacation right here at home," Jeffries said. "It's a great chance right before school starts to have some fun with your kids."

Contact Steve Miller at 394-8415 or steve.miller@rapidcityjournal.com.

If you go

Central States Fair

Opens officially at 3 p.m. today

Central States Fairgrounds

Take La Crosse Street south of Omaha Street

Or go west on Centre Street from Cambell Street