DEL MAR -- Three weeks of indulgent, "because we're at the fair" food, hair-raising rides and sensory overload have come to an end as the San Diego County Fair closed its 2009 season Sunday.
Although the official numbers are yet to be tallied, attendance is up by all accounts.
"It looks like we are headed toward surpassing last year's numbers," fair information officer Linda Zweig said.
"Sales are up, too; we've had our best year here ever," said Tony Boghosian of Charlie's Chicken, the fried-food mecca.
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Boghosian said that thanks to great crowd numbers and perfect weather -- "people don't like to eat when it's too hot" -- they have sold about 8,000 zucchini weenies, 10,000 deep-fried s'mores and 30,000 chicken shish kebabs.
Another factor that may have contributed to the increased attendance was this year's theme, "Music Mania," with its emphasis on live concerts. The entertainment drew a lot of music fans, especially after the death of Michael Jackson on June 25.
Upon hearing the news of Jackson's passing, many fairgoers started asking where they could find the Jackson section in the theme exhibit hall.
Zweig said all they had at that point was a reference to Jackson's record-breaking "Thriller" album on the Grammy wall. Fans began running to get blooms from the flower show to place them at the section.
"People were in shock and needed a place to go," Zweig said.
Saying "we've got to do something," fair organizers quickly created a tribute to Jackson in the theme hall where visitors could write sentiments that will be sent to the Jackson family.
Expressions ranged from the more standard "Rest in peace" and "Our prayers are with you" to the very specific -- "You brought me and my brother together through your music" and "You gave me hope when I was down, Michael."
At any point throughout the 10 days since Jackson died, about 50 people could be seen paying their respects.
"There are definitely a lot of people that come by to see what's been added and what's been said," exhibit worker Lena Nakkash said. "This gives them a place to put their memories."
"This is great because it gives us a chance to share our emotions and thoughts," said Julio Iraheta of San Marcos. "I am still in shock and can't believe one of the greatest of all time is really gone."
"Our family wanted to come here (to the tribute) first -- we just walked in," said Bill Abeita of Temecula. "We are definitely going to stay and see the concert."
At 9 p.m., the "Who's Bad" Michael Jackson tribute band hit the Paddock Stage and performed a show "spanning three decades of Michael Jackson's chart-cresting music." The band's performance was a late addition announced June 30.
"We heard 'Who's Bad' are really famous," said Nilene Egos, who was visiting San Diego with her sister, Grace, from Houston for two days.
"There's no way we could make it to the L.A. memorial, so this tribute is the next best thing."
