P.C. Fair is in the Books: Grandstand Totals

It was one in the books and one for the records...as the 2022 Phillips County Fair shut off the lights and closed the gates Sunday evening.

The unofficial numbers offered by the Fair Board early to make this weeks print deadline stated Grand Pass sales came to 308.

Friday night the crowd listened to the music of Ian Munsick where 1300 additional tickets were sold for a total of 1608.

Those numbers don't include children age ten and under, according to Shane Anderson of the Phillips County Fair Board.

"We are really happy with the turnout," Anderson said. "With the number of online tickets that we sold, we were expected a huge crowd."

He said that in addition to preorders for the Munsick concert, gate sales were similar to the 2021 PC Concert, which featured Reckless Kelly as the headliner.

"We sold a lot more Grand Passes this year, more pre-sale tickets, and about 700 online tickets. Last year we sold 100 (online tickets.)"

The amount of ticket sales encouraged the PC Fair Board to move the stage into the arena.

The Saturday action brought by the AMX/Derby added 440 in gate sales and there was a total of 748 taking in the action. Sunday, 597 tickets were sold at the gate and a total of 905 were entertained for the action packed event.

It was a lively and anxious crowd that filtered into the makeshift Grandstand on Friday as they were welcomed by "Counting Coup" from Billings, MT., as the opening act for the evening. The band has one member with local ties, as former Malta resident, Matt Kuhl, is the drummer. Matt and his wife, Misty (Jorgensen) live in Helena now. Misty is a native to the communities, as well, the daughter of CeDee Wilke, with "many" family members in the county.

The band provided a blend music that was enjoyed by the crowd. Their upbeat and youth tunes won favor on the listeners.

Coming on strong and finishing as strong, the large crowd was won over by the guitars, drums and fiddle – and as the crowd got loud, the sound of Ian Munsick's music kept their attention. From the youngest to those in their 90's, the sound was what the crowd was looking for. The family band consists of Ian, his dad, and two brothers.

The Fair Board was pleased with the performance and sound as well.

"It was a great show," Anderson said. "I have heard nothing but good reviews."

Anderson said that every year concert goers say "that was the best concert that we have ever had." This year was no different.

"He put on a great show that was kind of more catered towards the younger crowd, but I am assuming that the older crowd enjoyed it just as much. He was quite the showman."

Anderson pointed to Munsick's Jackson 5 covers, which had the crowd "moving and grooving."

"It was great and we are happy for sure," Anderson said.