Reducing admission prices and getting back to its roots appeared to be a formula for success at the King County Fair.

Buoyed in part by an opening-day discount promotion - during which admission, parking, carnival rides and a country western concert were all $1 - the fair established a new "official" single-day record July 21. There were 24,990 people counted coming through the gates, compared with a previous best of 21,466 on a Saturday in 2001.

Other days didn't ring up the same type of attendance.

The 142nd annual King County Fair wrapped up its five-day run Sunday.

Organizers were hoping attendance would turn around, following a gradual decrease over the past few years. A series of community meetings following the 2003 fair inspired King County to make the changes after hearing a similar message over and over - return to the fair to its roots as a good old fashioned, affordable county fair.

"People said they don't want us to be the biggest fair in the area, they want us to be the old-fashioned country fair they remember with high quality family entertainment, and affordable prices are part of that," said Marks.