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Not something to pass up

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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