DURHAM — Overcast skies and an occasional drizzle didn’t stop thousands from attending the final day of the annual Durham Fair on Sunday.

Many came to celebrate the fair’s Military Appreciation Day. All veterans and active service members received free admission and discounts from vendors.

At noon, there was a parade for veterans and active military members, followed by a Quilt of Valor presentation.

The Durham Fair, considered the largest agricultural fair in the state, opened on Thursday.

The four-day event was run entirely by 1,700 volunteers.

Visitors included Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.

Kim Terrill, vice president of the Durham Fair, was impressed by the overall turnout over the four days.

“This year’s Durham Fair tapped out,” Terrill said. “We had higher attendance than last year, and our fairgoers enjoyed the animals in action, fabulous fair food midway, and exhibits. The inaugural beer, wine, and cider tent ran out of product on Saturday evening.”

Throughout the fair, the smell of french fries, apple pie, donuts and more tempted taste buds.

“Today has been a steady day, and people eat french fries as soon as this fair opens up,” Durham Middlefield Exchange Club President Yvonne Ledoux said.

Sunday also featured a mid-afternoon costume parade for some of the livestock shown at the fair.

One of the farms involved was Greenbacker Farms in Durham.

Joe Greenbacker and his daughter Melissa Dziurgot spent the afternoon with their cattle and even posed for a photo with two of their cows, Blessed and Everlasting.

“Being at the fair is a lot of hard work, but it’s rewarding to show off the cattle and what we have,” Dziurgot said.

nzappone@record-journal.com