For years, the Isle of Wight County Fair has been a popular attraction for folks living in Western Tidewater. But it has long been something of a secret thrill, an event held well off the beaten path and attended by those in the know while the rest of the area settles into its back-to-school routine.

But the secret appears to have gotten out. This year’s fair attendance broke records and put the event into the category of large fairs, based on the way such things are counted by the Virginia Association of Fairs. With overall attendance nearing 34,000, the Isle of Wight Fair stepped boldly into that new category this year, crossing the 30,000-visitor threshold with plenty of room to spare.

According to organizers in Isle of Wight, attendance records were set for Wednesday’s Seafood Fest, Thursday night’s Car Load Special and Sunday’s general admission, as well as for overall attendance. Coming back from last year’s rain-soaked washout, the fair benefited from a combination of great weather, experienced leadership and volunteers and top-drawer entertainment, the event added more than 4,000 visitors to its highest previous tally.

That’s great news for Isle of Wight, and it’s good news for Suffolk, as well, which is preparing for its own version of the county fair, the Peanut Festival, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the city each fall.

Peanut Fest is set for the first weekend of October, and organizers are hard at work even now making sure that all of the last-minute tasks are complete that will contribute to its once again being one of the premier annual events in Hampton Roads. About the only thing they haven’t learned to control by now is the weather. Perhaps they should consult their friends in Isle of Wight for some pointers.