Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

Captain Barrington Irving, Jr. (right) unveils one of the six photographs of the former presidents of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), who were all inducted into the JAS's Hall of Fame on the weekend. JAS President Norman Grant looks on. Capt. Irving, who recently broke records flying around the world and was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. He participated in the unveiling at the Denbigh Agri-Industrial Show in Clarendon. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

An increase in the admission cost at this year's Denbigh Agri-Industrial Show in Clarendon, which ended on Monday, might have impacted the number of patrons in attendance which was apparently lower than last year.

The admission fee for adults was marked up by $100 to $500 over last year, while the cost for children remained at $200.]

Far fewer persons

One patron, Grace McKenzie of Clarendon, told The Gleaner she has been attending the show for several years and this year's staging, in terms of attendance, had far fewer persons than last year's.

Ms. McKenzie noted that the admission cost might have been a contributing factor for the seemingly low turnout.

"It is nothing new at the show. The only thing new is the concert in the evening," she said.

Lenworth Fulton, executive director of the 4-H Clubs, said he also noticed a decrease in crowd support and that his organisation's profits at this year's show were far less than what they made in 2006.

"The overall accumulative figure (for this year) not near last year's. It was very slow on day one (Saturday) and day two (Sunday) but we made some money today (Monday)," he said.

Mr. Fulton also agreed that the increase in cost might have affected the turnout at the agricultural show.

He said the admission cost might have impacted on a family with three or four persons.

2007 Denbigh awards

Best Parish Booth

First place - Westmoreland.

Second place - St. Elizabeth.

Third place - St. Andrew.

Champion Farmer

Maria Azan of Riversdale Valley, St. Catherine

Young Champion Farmer

Vijay Smith of St. Mary (has won the title twice before).