The York Fair set a new record for opening night on Friday with a total attendance of 50,718 people, said fair president Gene Schenck.

Fair officials attribute the great turnout in part to Sneak-A-Peek Friday, which offered fairgoers rides for just one dollar, he said.

New exhibits such as the butter sculpture and old favorites such as the livestock shows drew large crowds all weekend, and lines were long at the new Eudora Farms Exotic Animal petting zoo, said Schenck.

Thunderstorms on Saturday led fair officials to close the rides from 2 to 3 p.m. when the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for York County.

After the storms passed through, there were some damaged picnic umbrellas and tent flaps and awnings, but no substantial damage, Schenck said.

The storm really took a toll on Saturday's attendance, with a total of 41,823, said Derek Shaw, media relations.

Rides at the fair had never been completely shut down like that at the fair for the seven years Shaw has been working with the fair, but he said it is always better to err on the side of caution.

- Reach Chelsea Shank at cshank@yorkdispatch.com.