Few people came to the Hamilton County Fair as prepared as Lily Lawson.
The 2-year-old, dressed in her best cowboy boots and bright red skirt, came from Cleveland, Tenn., with her parents, grandparents and cousins for pony rides, a petting zoo, musical acts and family fun.
Organizers hoped to attract more than 50,000 people and surpass the 2009 record of 41,000 visitors, said Mike Dunne, spokesman for the fair.
More than 156 vendors and exhibitors - 33 just for food - came to Chester Frost Park this year because "everyone likes the crowd and the venue," Dunne said.
The newest addition, pony rides, attracted throngs children and slightly nervous-looking parents who watched nearby.
Lily's cousins, Clay Cooper, 5, and Bo Cooper, "almost 3," said they had done the pony-ride thing before, but were far from professionals.
One big hit was the petting zoo where Buddy the horse, 20, would rest his head on visitors who would scratch behind his ears.
IF YOU GOWhere: Chester Frost ParkHours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. todayAdmission: Free, but shuttle bus tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for ages 3-12, free for under 3.Shuttle bus parking: Northgate Mall, Middle Valley Recreation Center
But the fair isn't just fun and games and food on a stick. Peggy Lewis and Rachel Renauck shared a booth to sell their jewelry and hair accessories.
"The weather is good, the crowd is good, and the people are in a buying mood," Lewis said.
Other vendors included Jane Gentry of Gin Mama's Crafts, who has been coming to the Hamilton County fair for 20 years to sell her baby quilts and aprons made from blue jeans.
Still, the food was a big hit as visitors could get almost anything served to them on a stick: pickles, chicken and rolls, mushrooms and chocolate-covered strawberries.
