TIFTON — The 82nd Coastal Plains Agricultural Fair wrapped up on Sunday, Nov. 4.

According to Dale Gay, who manages the fairgrounds for the event, attendance was down this year.

Approximately 4,570 people came through the gate this year, down from approximately 6,100 last year, he said.

Gay said that a series of bad weather days hurt attendance this year.

Thursday the threat of high winds shut down the midway, and then rain shut the fair down on Thursday and Sunday.

Their biggest day was Saturday, when more than 3,200 people came through the gate.

They were so busy they had to open up an overflow parking lot, according to Gay.

All of the money raised by the fair goes to the American Legion Post’s expenses, and the remainder goes back into the community in the form of scholarships, donations, children and youth activities and veterans services.

Post 21 hosts Trees for Troops and Toys for Tots in December, buys and ships Girl Scout cookies to troops stationed overseas and supports Boy Scouts.

They also purchase flags, help fund ROTC and purchase honor’s night medals for both Tift County and Tiftarea Academy.

Gay said that the American Legion appreciated the support of Tift County, the school system and local businesses.

“I want to thank each and every patron that came and supported our fair,” he said.