Published: July 11, 2008 02:02 pm            

County fair kickoff

Cambria, Somerset, Bedford, Indiana events set

With the Fourth of July now a memory, people’s attention soon will turn to county fair season.

Tens of thousands of people are envisioning the excitement and competition of fairs during the next nine weeks.

Whether it’s amusement rides, midway attractions, livestock and agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts or live entertainment, the common thread is fun.

For many, attending the county fair is the last big fling of summer.

John E. Holbert, fairgrounds manager and son of John H. Holbert, president of Bedford County Fair board since 1953, said there will be “something for just about everybody” during the 126th Bedford Fair, which runs July 20-26.

“This year’s fair will be as early as it will ever be, and that may be an advantage for us in several respects,” Holbert said. “Perhaps the biggest advantage will be having my groundspeople, who are mostly students and teachers, here for the clean-up after the fair.”

Ironically, Holbert and several other county fair officials see high gas prices as an advantage when it comes to attracting people to their respective events.

“It looks like people may be more inclined to stay local and take advantage of our wide variety of fun, entertainment and food,” Holbert said.

One of the biggest changes in the fair schedule will take place prior to the official opening on July 20.

“We are going to have a pre-fair large car demolition derby at 6 p.m. on July 19 with a $7 admission and free parking that evening,” Holbert said.

“We hope the $1,000 will be an incentive to draw competitors and make for an exciting event.”

Holbert said an added treat will be the Imperial Stunt Drivers Thrill Show on July 26.

“That’s our closing Saturday, and the Imperial stunt show is the last of its kind,” Holbert said. “To the best of my knowledge, people won’t see this type of show anywhere in the area this year.”

The fairground is located on the western edge of Bedford at Route 30 and Interstate 99.

All grandstand shows and amusement rides are included in the pay-one-price admission of $9. Parking is $3.

Somerset County

Byron Glessner, who is marking his 20th year as president of the Somerset County Fair, said the long-standing tradition of crowning a queen on opening night has been changed to the second night.

Somerset fair runs from Aug. 16-23 in Meyersdale.

“We are trying to comply with the state fair association’s ‘Fun For the Whole Herd’ theme by opening our fair on Saturday with a gigantic semi-truck pull at 7 (p.m.) with only a $5 admission,” Glessner said.

“We will crown the queen at 4 p.m. on Sunday.”

The fair board has held the admission price at $6 and parking at $2 to ensure affordability for area families.

“One reason we held the price is because we know families are struggling,” Glessner said. “But high fuel prices are taking a toll on our midway provider and the concessionaires. Gas may be a factor on our attendance, but we are hoping people recognize we are doing the best we can to hold down prices and offer something for everyone.”

Agriculture plays a vital role in all the county fairs.

From saddle horse and pony judging to dairy and swine judging, the Somerset County Fair overflows with animal exhibitions as competitors vie for best-of-show recognition.

Glessner said crowd-pleasing events such as demolition derbies and mud-bogging competitions are fan favorites.

“People love anything involving gas and wheels, but the grandstand is always full when Dave Martin presents his rodeo,” Glessner said.

“That event is at 7:30 (p.m.) July 20.”

Indiana County

The 146th edition of the Indiana County Fair will be held Aug. 24-30 at Mack Park in Indiana.

Ed Nehrig, fair committee spokesman and regional director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, said the Indiana fair has been known for offering big name country performers, and 2008 is no exception.

Craig Morgan, a 2006 nominee for the Academy of Country Music’s new male vocalist of the year, will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 27.

Morgan is touring in support of his latest compact disc, “Little Bit of Life.”

His previous albums spawned such memorable hits as “I Got You,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” the poignant “Almost Home” as well as “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” which spent five weeks at No. 1.

“Along with big-name entertainment, we have a full schedule of motor sports, including limited pro stock and smoker series tractors and big semis on Aug. 29,” Nehrig said. “The next night, guys can run their personal dump trucks and 4x4s.”

Indiana fair has a tradition of showcasing the talents of area high school students during Band Night on Aug. 26 and Cheerleading Expo Night on Aug. 28.

“On Monday evening, (Aug. 25) we will present the Robinson Family, which presents a fantastic show for people of all ages,” Nehrig said.

Nehrig said he is optimistic about attracting fairgoers.

“I have been to two festivals this year, and attendance seems to be way up,” he said. “I hope that trend carries over into fair season.”

Cambria County

Cambria County fairgoers can choose the thrill of amusement rides on the midway, eat traditional foods or spend time examining a multitude of agricultural exhibits during fair week, which is Aug. 31 to Sept. 6 in Ebensburg.

Patricia Fenchak, agricultural building superintendent of Cambria County American Legion Recreation Association Inc., which owns and operates the fair, said the committee has made it a priority to return the fair to its agricultural roots.

“We have made an effort to pique the interest of 4-H Club members to bring more animals and exhibit them during fair week,” Fenchak said. “This year’s fair also will mark the first time 4-H Club participants will exhibit alpacas, with nearly 20 exhibitors showing animals.”

Another first will feature the introduction of a program for peewee fairgoers between the ages of 2 and 4.

“It is designed to introduce children to the fair experience,” Fenchak said.

Classes were created to allow children the experience of creating an entry with the assistance of a parent.

“This has generated a lot of new interest in the fair to these youngsters.”

Officials have chosen classes that a child would enjoy and may already be participating in at home.

Activities include creating paper bag puppets, finger painting and beaded jewelry.

They also can plant potted flowers and vegetables and tackle making some baked goods such as peanut butter or sugar cookies.

“We want children to gain an appreciation for what their parents and grandparents have done,” Fenchak said. “The young people are our future and they will be the ones who sustain the fair.”

Cost of admission is $8, which covers all grandstand activities and rides.

Throughout the week, country music singers Matt Jenkins, James Otto and Chris Young will perform two shows each.

The Orlo tractor pull will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 3 at the grandstand.

“To the best of my knowledge, this year also will mark the first time we will have a tractor pull,” Fenchak said.

        

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