A combined total of 3,586 people were in attendance for the first two nights of the Grayson County Fair.

Fair Board President Kevin Pharis said the numbers were up quite a bit from last year.

Tuesday night was the crowning of Miss Grayson County and Miss Teen Grayson County.

Eighteen-year-old Taylor Michelle Houchin was crowned Miss Grayson County. Houchin is the daughter of Mike and Doris Houchin.

Miss Teen Grayson County for 2008 was Kailea Brooke Gill. Gill is the 13-year-old daughter of Kenny and Lea Anna Gill.

Jennifer Howard was crowned Mrs. Grayson County on Wednesday night. Howard’s husband is Mike Howard.

New for this year was a bicycle and helmet give-away, which was held the first three nights of the fair, for one lucky boy and girl.

And the winners are:

• Tuesday-Embry Thorpe and Andrew Bryant

• Wednesday-Kolton Bell and Emily Chambers

• Thursday-Brandon Niles and Cassie Key

Sponsors the drawing were Grayson County Farm Bureau and Insurance Services, Anderson’s Tree Service, Embry’s Bike Division, and Grayson County Emergency Medical Services.

Randy Keene, with Eudora Farms Petting Zoo, said he has enjoyed bringing the animals out to the fair this year for people to see.

“There are a variety of exotic animals for the families to enjoy,” added Keene. “We hope to be able to be invited back to the fair again next year.”

Admission to the petting zoo is free-of-charge, but the pony rides and animal feeding were extra.

Thursday night was the registration and preliminaries for the karaoke contest and the first night for the demolition derby.

The numbers for Thursday were down a little, according to officials, but are expected to pick back up by the weekend.