Perry Hall/White Marsh Town Fair Aims for Record Crowds

Fifteen summers ago, a town fair debuted at . While considered a success at the time, it featured only 31 vendors and drew about 2,000 people. 

It has since "grown and grown and grown," said Lynn Richardson, president of the , which organizes the annual event. 

Planners expect 15,000 people, a 25 percent increase from last year, to attend the  at Honeygo Village Center. It is scheduled to run Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"I think we are poised to break records," Richardson said. 

Two hundred vendors and sponsors—25 more than last year—are scheduled to participate. The fair's main stage and beer and wine garden are expected to host seven bands and a welcome speech by .

The enlarged children's area is planned to include all-day entertainment, ranging from a Super Soaker arena to a Bubbles the Clown show. A highly-anticipated cornhole tournament is also expected to draw crowds.  

Planners have amped up advertising in preparation for the fair, Richardson said. Sponsor radio stations 101.9 Lite FM and 98 Rock have publicized the event. Dozens of signs have been distributed throughout the community and several business and church marquees have announced the fair.  

ABC2 News is also expected to run a story about fair preparations on Friday, she added.

So far, fair planning has progressed smoothly. "We started in January with a committee of 14 people. They've taken on the task," Richardson said. 

The last variable to the fair's success is the weather. 

"They're calling for 87 degrees and sunshine," she said. "I believe them."