ALTAMONT — This year’s Altamont Fair, which closed on Sunday after a six-day run, had more vendors than ever before and a surge in fine-arts entries, according to Pat Canaday, fair spokeswoman.

Asked on Monday how many attended the tri-county fair, Canaday said, “If you don’t put the numbers in context, they don’t mean anything …. We’re happy with having a lot of happy people here on the fairgrounds. We have gotten some very, very positive feedback through social media. People had a wonderful time and can’t wait for next year. And that’s what we’re going to measure it by.”

Twice while describing the week’s event, Canaday said she was “all choked up.”

The first time was describing a new program that on opening day, Tuesday, brought country and city kids together to enjoy the fair for free. 

The Altamont Fair won a $25,000 grant to host kids from rural Berne-Knox-Westerlo in the Hilltowns and urban Eagle Point Elementary School in Albany.

“There aren’t enough opportunities for kids from different backgrounds to come together in a fun place and get to know each other,” Amy Anderson, the fair’s manager, said earlier. “It’s an important thing that we’re missing in society.”

On Monday, Canaday said that, as the kids were getting back on the bus to go home, one of them said, “This was the best day ever.” 

The other emotional moment was on Wednesday, a day the fair traditionally honors those who have served in the military. “Three young people took the oath to go into the Navy, so that was very moving,” said Canaday.

A brief rainburst moved the military ceremony inside the Dutch barn. And the threat of rain that day, although it didn’t materialize in Altamont, kept large crowds away.

“People thought it was rainy here so Wednesday night was a wonderful night for the people who stayed. There were no lines. It was cool,” said Canaday.

On Thursday, in another new initiative, the midway was purposefully muted without bright lights or loud noises to make it welcoming to neurodivergent people.

“We thought that was very successful,” said Canaday. “We had a lot of families come and enjoy the quieter space.”

While there were more entries in fine arts — including for children — fewer people entered flowers and vegetables in competition.

“This was such a weird year to grow things,” said Canaday.

She was buoyed, though, by the “huge increase” in entries for arts and crafts.

Canaday concluded, “We want people to contribute and be part of the fair.”