NORTHAMPTON— Dozens of spectators filed into the bright red cylinder of the motordrome, eager to see what daredevil Hobo Bill calls “the greatest show on wood” on Labor Day, the final day of the Three County Fair. Children and adults looked on with amazement as three performers completed gravity-defying feats, riding motorcycles, an electric bike and a go-kart across the completely vertical wooden motordrome walls.

The American Motor Drome Company’s “Wall of Death” motorcycle thrill show was a fan favorite at the fair this year, which attracted over 30,000 people over four sunny days of food and fun. Those who got to witness the show were seeing something truly special, as the American Motor Drome Company is one of just three traveling motordrome shows in the country – though once, there were hundreds.

“Motordromes like this have been around for over 100 years,” said Ariell Flight, one of the riders, after a Monday morning show. “We’re one of only three traveling now.”

Flight knew nothing about riding motorcycles when she happened to meet one of her now-fellow performers when she was living in the Virgin Islands as a scuba instructor. She learned to ride inside the motordrome, and is now in her second season of traversing the country to amaze crowds with her high-flying skills.

This thrilling show was just one of many attractions that brought what the fair’s Executive Director Taylor Haas called “many smiling faces” to the fairground this year. The weekend brought a rain-free forecast, an attraction-packed midway, rows of fragrant food trucks, live entertainment and a lovable cast of barnyard animals. Haas said that everything ran smoothly and successfully at this year’s fair.

“Last year was a record-breaking year for us, and things are looking just as good as last year,” said Haas on Monday morning. While Haas did not have data on how many patrons attended the fair this year, roughly 35,000 attended last year, and she said that this year’s numbers were likely to be near the same.

With every demolition derby sold out and consistently packed stands for animal showing contests that brought in judges from around the country, the fair offered a festive and family-friendly send off for summer. What excited Haas the most, as she directed the fair for the first time this year, was seeing community members become interested in local agriculture – whether through exhibitions, baking contests, racing piglets or the fair’s various barns.

“We really see the whole diversity of the community at the fair,” said Diane Mas as she helped children gently pet a rabbit in the crowded Baby Barnyard. Mas used to participate in the fair’s exhibitions when she was growing up, but now she helps to create a fun fair experience for children by working there.

“We get to see so many kids interact with the animals for the very first time,” she said.

Haas emphasized that this is one of the things that makes the fair so “special.”

“This is the only opportunity for a lot of members of our community to get face-to-face with animals and agriculture,” she said.

Some fair goers, like Brooker Gould, are already well-acquainted with these fuzzy barnyard friends. Gould, 13, has been participating in dairy shows since she was about 5 years old. At the fair this year, she got to show off Joelle, a Jersey cow just under 1 year old, in the youth dairy show.

While ribbons and awards are welcome, they aren’t what keep Gould coming back to the fair.

“My favorite part is definitely the community,” she said as Joelle nibbled on some straw. “Everyone is so nice to each other here.”

Just across from the dairy barn, past the competitive squeals of the Wee Wee Wee Racing Pigs and shrouded in the sugary-sweet haze from trucks peddling various fried dough treats, the rumble of tractor engines drew curious ears to the Antique Engine and Tractor Showcase and the Farm Museum.

Children stared with wide eyes as Robert Kosuda’s antique gas engines spun smoothly, shining in the sunlight. The engines were passed to Kosuda by his father, who had been showing them for over 50 years.

“He passed, and I just kept on doing it,” said Kosuda. “The best part is the questions people ask, just showing them what these used to do.”

From learning opportunities, market booths and animal encounters to midway rides and magic shows, the fair offers something for everyone. Haas believes that what keeps crowds growing year after year is the event’s accessibility and community feel, which she hopes to continue to bolster in the years to come.

“It’s amazing how much the community gets involved… we wouldn’t be able to do this without all of our volunteers,” said Haas. “It’s really a community event. It’s our fair, and everybody can come here and thrive.”

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.