The Nevada State Fair recorded had one of the biggest increases in attendance in years, despite two consecutive days of rainfall that shut down rides and closed the fair early one night, organizers said.

The fair last week at the Reno Livestock Events Center showed a 25 percent increase in attendance and 30 percent increase in revenue, including admissions, carnival rides, concession sales and auction sales, said fair Executive Director Mike Clements.

“Scheduling changes provided consistent daily hours that made the most of the exhibits and entertainment,” Clements said. “We also wanted families to know that they would find the fair a fun, quality event.”

The rain did dampen what could’ve been the most successful day on Wednesday, when there was no admission fee. On Thursday, officials closed the event two hours earlier than scheduled.

“(Wednesday) should’ve been one of our biggest days,” Clements said. “It was for about three or four hours” until the rain.

He said there were more people this year than last, but admission sales won’t reflect that because everyone got in free Wednesday.

Carnival ride ticket sales are expected to gross more than $20,000, more than double last year’s $9,400 total, he said.

Additions included a dirt bike racing event, The Swamp Master alligator show, comedians and jugglers and Sunday’s Fake Fest, a free concert that attracted more than 1,500 people.

“There was a great buzz. The people were happy, having fun and listening to music,” said J.P. Pinocchio, a fair board member and owner of Pinocchio’s Bar and Grill in Reno that was at the fair for the first time.

The Silver Dollar Youth Livestock auction set a sales record, grossing about $92,000, after sales of $86,000 last year, Clements said, adding Safeway Food Stores bought the most animals.