The weather was wet then stunning and the crowds followed suit leading Expo Square CEO Mark Andrus to say “weekend one went very nice.” The Tulsa State Fair powered through the first weekend with good numbers but not quite as good as the records of the last couple of years. “It’s one of those, can the stock market always go up, can we always be on a record pace” Andrus posed to the question to KRMG news Monday.

Andrus was thrilled with the overall performance of the event, especially the comments he heard as he strolled the midway. “I’m very proud that the word clean is always in the first sentence” Andrus beamed as he talked. Speaking to us from a recliner inside the Quik Trip center Andrus noted that while Saturday was wet and overcast, Sunday was spectacular. “Saturday we were down, but not much and we picked almost half of that up with a real strong yesterday (sic) Sunday.” After a short pause Andrus added “that was the strongest Sunday I’ve seen in probably three of four years.”

The actual numbers weren’t available yet but overall but while crowds were slightly smaller, they were spending money at a pace similar to 2011. “Al l the vendors I talked to were very happy” Andrus noted.

Click here to listen to the entire interview with Mark.

 In 2011 the Tulsa Fair was the tenth largest in the nation, something Andrus hopes to emulate this year. “It’s hard to top that, in fact if we get close to it I’ll be just as happy as I can be.”

We asked Andrus if we could call back and check up on as the fair goes along and he agreed to visit anytime. Always a positive and happy fellow, Andrus closed our conversation by telling KRMG “until then I’ll be on the midway guessing peoples weight.”

While we doubt he’ll really do that you won’t have any trouble finding Mark in the crowd. He’ll be the tall guy who can’t get the smile off his face.