Fair attendance expected to post big increase

By Evan Parker Pierce
News Staff Reporter

Even as the rain fell, many families braved the conditions in multicolored ponchos to watch John Cassidy, "the Bizzarre Balloonologist," who made everything from a knight, complete with sword and shield, to a mini Carmen Miranda out of balloons.

Shane Donnelly, 9 and his brother Kyle, 8, of Williamsville were Cassidy's foils for his show, spoofing with a fire-breathing monkey and picking from a deck of cards the three of hearts which Cassidy then magically found when a lawn dart pinned the card to the magician's rear end.

The boys; mother, Beth, said events like the magician make the fair worthwhile, especially for children.

"The kids are just thrilled to be here," she said. "They get to [see the magician], and they just did the backyard circus. There are just so many unusual things for them to do."

For herself, Donnelly said the long-running family history of the fair helps her brave rainy weather.

"Its a tradition," she said. There are a lot of trees to stand under. Nothing's going to stop me from coming to the fair."

Caption: Charles Lewis/Buffalo News John Cassidy, "the Bizarre Balloonologist," amazes Kyle Donnelly, 8, of Williamsville during a Saturday show.