The activity filling the roadways in West Tisbury yesterday morning could only mean one thing: The 141st annual Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair had opened its gates at 10 a.m. for the first of four eventful days.

Groups of kids stood at nearby bus stops, people walked along the road toward the event, cars full of parents and children began to back up for the field parking - and the fair had only just begun.

A father and son, after parking, sprinted to the ticket booth with smiles on their faces, laughing all the way there.

The ferris wheel's been planted, the entry forms returned, the dogs bathed, allowances saved, curfews set.

In the final days before the 141st annual Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair begins, volunteers are plugging through the fair's "to do" list. It's a list that Eleanor Neubert - fair manager for 19 years - knows well.

Hottest Fair in History Wins Cheers from Public

Sweltering Weather Drops Attendance to 25,000 Visitors

By ALEXIS TONTI

Two days after the close of the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural
Society Livestock Show and Fair, the blue reentry stamp still
won't quite wash off. The ink's durability through sweat and
swim and shower is pretty amazing - and a bit frustrating -
but ultimately a good thing. Most everyone left and returned, and that
stamp was their ticket back in.

All bets were off for those who planned to pace themselves during the opening morning of the 142nd Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair.

Along with the Ferris wheel and the tilt-a-whirl, one of the wildest rides of the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair this year was provided by the weather.

Eleanor Neubert, fair manager, said the weather gets much of the credit for the fact that attendance this year totaled 27,887 people, more than a thousand above last year's total and an all-time record for the fair.

There was record turnout at the start of the 143rd annual Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair, which began yesterday. Overcast skies kept people away from the beach, so they came to the fair instead, said Eleanor Neubert, fair manager.

Yesterday's opening day was full of fun and a few glitches. The ever popular Ferris wheel, which gives riders a skyline view of the fairgrounds, broke down in the first hours of the fair. The apparatus had to be hand cranked so riders could get off. "They've ordered a part," said Ms. Neubert.

The 144th annual Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair set records in attendance, and participation, resulting in shortages in unexpected ways.

"This is even better than the Clinton years," said fair manager Eleanor Neubert, who reported attendance of 29,022 over the four-day fair, up more than a thousand from last year.

It may be only a few minutes shy of 10:30 in the morning, but as
Rocky Magnuson reminds the stream of people walking by, it's never
too early to enjoy a little kettle corn.

It was nearing four o'clock at the Martha's Vineyard
Agricultural Society's 143rd annual Livestock Show and Fair on
Saturday - time for the Birds of Prey show to begin - but in
the heart of the crowd beside the tent full of owls and hawks, it was
not a peregrine falcon but rather President Bill Clinton who was
attracting the attention.

This week brings the dog shows and skillet throws, tractor pulls and
spinning wools, oyster shucking, horse bucking, burger making and prize
taking that make up the 145th annual Martha's Vineyard
Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair - better known in a
single breath as the ag fair.

The festivities begin Thursday at 10 a.m. at the agricultural hall
in West Tisbury and close on Sunday at 7 p.m.