A food vendor told me they were within $500 of their previous year's entire fair sales within the first two days.

The community has embraced the fair this year.

The word was really out for three months before the event. The fair board members took a very proactive approach this year.

Given that Super Bowl is scheduled one week later this year, discounters that have significant food and beverage sales may see some sales transferred out of January into February.

Although weaker than expected, interpretation of the release is clouded by the unusual drop in food sales in August and, as is often the case, the MPC will be waiting for the next month's release to get a better picture of the underlying trend.

It is a message. We are not interested in removing the sales tax on food.