There's no time like fair time
There’s a lot to see when you stroll a fairgrounds.pete g. wilcox file photo/the times leader
By Mary Therese Biebel
When city folks arrive at the Kiwanis Wyoming County Fairgrounds this weekend, the first thing they’re likely to notice are the parking attendants on horseback. • It’s charming. It’s bucolic. It makes you feel like you’ve finally arrived in cowboy country. • It’s also practical and safer, fair volunteer Marge Singer said.
Jeff Askey is about to win a Bareback Bronc Riding competition at the Kiwanis Wyoming County Fair.AIMEE DILGER FILE PHOTO/THE TIMES LEADER
“You’re up higher where people can see you. They can see the horse better than just a person on the ground,” she said. “And they’re more leery. They’ll steer clear of a horse.”
After your mounted, highly noticeable guide has told you where to park, you’ll find plenty of other opportunities to soak up the rural atmosphere and, at least for a while, forget the world of office high-rises and honking horns.
You can admire rabbits, cows, sheep, goats and chickens that were raised on local farms and cheer on the horse competitions, both English-style jumping and Western-style rodeo.
The rodeo events include bull riding and bronco busting for boys, while girls aim for speed and try not to knock over any barrels as they guide their horses through the barrel-racing course.
But fairs are not solely an opportunity to celebrate agricultural life.
At the Sullivan County Fair, which continues through Monday in Forksville, a New York-style hot dog vendor is expected to bring a taste of Manhattan to the rural site.
Then there’s the pure Americana; for example, the animal-dressing contest set for 4 p.m. Sunday.
“We never know what’s going to show up,” Sullivan County Fair secretary Jody Lambert said. “We had one little boy who dressed up in a toga and so did his cow. Once there was a chicken dressed as a cowboy with a little hat and a little gun.”
At 2 p.m. Sunday, a giant ice-cream sundae will be served to all comers. It contains anywhere from 9 to 12 gallons of ice cream, Lambert estimated, and is decorated with chocolate sauce.
For impressive feats of strength, you can see draft horses, ponies and even miniature horses pulling weights that are appropriate for their very different sizes.
Speaking of animals and their amazing feats, did you know pigs can swim?
Robinson’s Paddling Porkers will be at the Great Allentown Fair this weekend, proving that piglets are willing to race through a 24-foot pool – called “the hogwash” – just as they’re willing to race on the ground if there’s an Oreo cookie waiting at the other end.
That’s just part of the fun at the Allentown Fair, where big cats and canine stunts are on the schedule and such Pennsylvania Dutch-style treats as fried green tomatoes and corn pies will add to the hometown flavor.
Then on Wednesday the Luzerne County Fair begins, proving that such time-honored handicrafts as quilt making and home-canning tomatoes have not died out in Luzerne County.
“We want to bring crafters back because it seems they’re becoming a dying trade,” Brenda Pugh, publicity coordinator, said. “We want to invite those that are out there back in so people can see the wonderful crafts they have and what they’re capable of doing.”
Pugh also said the fair committee aims to expand its vendor pool.
“We have lots of food on the grounds, so now we’re trying to bring in new and exciting things for people that they can become educated on, whether it’s tractors or home improvement.”
This year lumber mills and wood carvers are added to the vendor list.
Of course, there’s still enough farm equipment that “bring-your-own-tractor” competitions can take place, such as the tractor obstacle rodeo that will take place Sept. 11. A barnyard Olympics that day will allow participants to try their hands at activities such as a hay bale and egg toss or wheelbarrow race.Times Leader staff Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/entertainment/When_city_folks_arrive_at_the_Kiwanis_Wy_09-01-2011.html#ixzz1WskNTbSe
After your mounted, highly noticeable guide has told you where to park, you’ll find plenty of other opportunities to soak up the rural atmosphere and, at least for a while, forget the world of office high-rises and honking horns.
You can admire rabbits, cows, sheep, goats and chickens that were raised on local farms and cheer on the horse competitions, both English-style jumping and Western-style rodeo.
The rodeo events include bull riding and bronco busting for boys, while girls aim for speed and try not to knock over any barrels as they guide their horses through the barrel-racing course.
But fairs are not solely an opportunity to celebrate agricultural life.
At the Sullivan County Fair, which continues through Monday in Forksville, a New York-style hot dog vendor is expected to bring a taste of Manhattan to the rural site.
Then there’s the pure Americana; for example, the animal-dressing contest set for 4 p.m. Sunday.
“We never know what’s going to show up,” Sullivan County Fair secretary Jody Lambert said. “We had one little boy who dressed up in a toga and so did his cow. Once there was a chicken dressed as a cowboy with a little hat and a little gun.”
At 2 p.m. Sunday, a giant ice-cream sundae will be served to all comers. It contains anywhere from 9 to 12 gallons of ice cream, Lambert estimated, and is decorated with chocolate sauce.
For impressive feats of strength, you can see draft horses, ponies and even miniature horses pulling weights that are appropriate for their very different sizes.
Speaking of animals and their amazing feats, did you know pigs can swim?
Robinson’s Paddling Porkers will be at the Great Allentown Fair this weekend, proving that piglets are willing to race through a 24-foot pool – called “the hogwash” – just as they’re willing to race on the ground if there’s an Oreo cookie waiting at the other end.
That’s just part of the fun at the Allentown Fair, where big cats and canine stunts are on the schedule and such Pennsylvania Dutch-style treats as fried green tomatoes and corn pies will add to the hometown flavor.
Then on Wednesday the Luzerne County Fair begins, proving that such time-honored handicrafts as quilt making and home-canning tomatoes have not died out in Luzerne County.
“We want to bring crafters back because it seems they’re becoming a dying trade,” Brenda Pugh, publicity coordinator, said. “We want to invite those that are out there back in so people can see the wonderful crafts they have and what they’re capable of doing.”
Pugh also said the fair committee aims to expand its vendor pool.
“We have lots of food on the grounds, so now we’re trying to bring in new and exciting things for people that they can become educated on, whether it’s tractors or home improvement.”
This year lumber mills and wood carvers are added to the vendor list.
Of course, there’s still enough farm equipment that “bring-your-own-tractor” competitions can take place, such as the tractor obstacle rodeo that will take place Sept. 11. A barnyard Olympics that day will allow participants to try their hands at activities such as a hay bale and egg toss or wheelbarrow race.Times Leader staff Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/entertainment/When_city_folks_arrive_at_the_Kiwanis_Wy_09-01-2011.html#ixzz1WskNTbSe
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