PRINCETON — Perfect weather conditions made for favorable turnout at this year’s Bureau County Fair, which concluded its run Sunday.

Fair Board President Kyle Burrows said it was a highly successful event.

“I think we had a good lineup of grandstand events and various activities throughout the week that helped to make the whole week successful,” he said.

While final numbers have yet to be tallied, Burrows said he would guess this year’s fair brought in around 25,000 people throughout the five-day event.

“That’s just purely an estimate,” he said.

Because of the high turnout, Burrows said one of the challenges the fair board and volunteers faced throughout the week was parking and getting people through the gate on time, which, he added, is not necessarily a bad problem.

The demolition derby on Saturday brought in the largest grandstand crowd. Burrows said the event had more than 150 cars sign up. People came from all over to enter the derby.

“It was a huge event not only from entries, but also from the folks watching,” he said.

Thursday’s Gary Allan concert drew in around 3,600 people, which is slightly above average for concert turnout, according to Burrows.

“I think the show was a high energy, family-friendly show. The turnout was very well received,” he said.

New this year was Sunday’s Salute to Veterans program. The fair board teamed up with Flags of Freedom and Illinois Valley Quilts of Valor to put on a special program for area veterans.

“It was definitely touching and rewarding to see the veterans receive their quilts. I thought the whole program came together extremely well,” Burrows said.

“We were looking for a way to honor past, present and future veterans. I think we did that. It was a hit. We will be bringing it back next year.”

The fair added an exhibitor category specifically for Quilts of Valor. Submissions were hung from the rafters in the Fine Arts hall. Burrows said he received several comments from people who were moved by the display.

“It was touching to see them brought down, folded and given out to the veterans,” he said.

Twelve area veterans were honored and wrapped in a Quilt of Valor during Sunday’s program.

It was Burrows’ first fair as board president. While he’s been a longtime volunteer and board member of the fair, he said things were a little different this year managing it all. But he added, “it was a very rewarding experience.”

“We have a tremendous fair board, along with hundreds of volunteers, that know their role and know how the fair operates, which makes it that much easier,” he said.

“It was a long week, but with the weather definitely in our favor, it was a fun and rewarding week.”

The best part of it all for Burrows was getting to watch fair week bring people back together.

“It becomes its own family. At the end of the day, we’re watching people enjoy what we just spent a year putting together and planning,” he said. “That’s the most rewarding part of it all.”