Not something to pass up
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Seven-year-old Rebecca Harris left the Orange County Fair Sunday with
a souvenir that money can’t buy.
Rebecca, of Anaheim, was presented with a lifetime pass, her prize
for being the fair’s one-millionth visitor this year, a landmark
attendance record never before achieved in the fair’s 113-year
history.
Rebecca’s historic visit to the fair was her first, and it will
likely be an experience she won’t forget -- whether she wants to or
not.
Her first steps onto the fairgrounds at 12:45 p.m. Sunday
prompteda sudden burst of confetti and clicking cameras. As Rebecca
and her parents, Glenda and Marquis, were ushered onto a makeshift
stage near the main gate, all she wanted to do was hide behind her
mother.
While the experience was an overwhelming one for young Rebecca, it
was an exciting time for fair officials.
“I think this will be just one stop for us as we continue on the
road to success,” said fair CEO Becky Bailey-Findley.
Bailey-Findley joined the Harris family on stage, congratulating
them and everyone who came to the fair and contributed to the
record-breaking figure.
“It’s an important mile marker because it hasn’t been done
before,” Bailey-Findley said.
Fair officials last week projected attendance would reach one
million and, in advance, printed T-shirts with the slogan, “Thanks a
Million OC!”
There is no one aspect of this year’s fair that made it a
record-breaker, said Jim Barich, president of the fair’s board.
Barich credits the high attendance to the fair’s affordable admission
and secure environment. Last year, more than 963,000 people visited
the fair.
The Harris family found out moments before stepping onto the
grounds that Rebecca would be the record-breaker.
Rebecca’s father had been given two tickets by a friend, and
Rebecca’s ticket was the only one he purchased.
But Harris explained that if not for good timing, the lucky person
could have easily been someone else.
While Harris waited in line to buy his daughter’s ticket, the man
at the front of the line had to leave the ticket counter when he
discovered he had forgotten his wallet. In the man’s absence, Harris
stepped up and bought the historic ticket.
“She’s overwhelmed,” said Rebecca’s mother, Glenda.
The Harris family said they’ve come to the fair in the past,
though never before with Rebecca.
“We’ll probably be more regular now,” Marquis Harris said.
Rebecca will receive her lifetime pass at a later date; it will be
engraved especially for her. The pass will give her and a guest free
admission to the fair for the rest of her life. Only about 20 people
have been issued the lifetime pass, Bailey-Findley said. The pass
usually is reserved for board members who retire.
Only after the crowd of onlookers had subsided did Rebecca flash a
toothless grin and hesitantly begin to enjoy the benefits of her
celebrity status. Standing in front of a large basket of goodies --
donated by the fair’s production company, Ray Cammack Shows --
Rebecca pulled out a shiny beaded necklace and twirled it between her
fingers.
“A million’s a lot, Rebecca,” her mother said, bending down to her
daughter’s level. “And you’re number one million.”
Rebecca looked up and gave a shy nod. It still hadn’t sunk in.
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