THE BALLOON MAN

New attractions mark Bloomsburg Fair's return

By Rob Wheary (Staff Writer)
from:  citizensvoice.com
September 6, 2012
BLOOMSBURG - The Bloomsburg Fair hopes to come roaring back from its one-year flood hiatus with several new attractions, including The Stinger, a pendulum-like thrill ride the operator said has been the No. 1 ride at seven state fairs.

"There is only one type of this ride in America, and we have it," Rick Reithoffer, of Reithoffer Shows, based in Dallas, told fair board members at their annual kickoff luncheon Wednesday afternoon at the fairgrounds. The fair runs Sept. 22 to 29, with a preview day Sept. 21.

Also to debut is the Sky Ride, a 100-car aerial tramway - the longest at any county or state fair in the nation, Reithoffer said - that will take riders from one end of the fairground to the other.

Reithoffer, proprietor of the fair's Midway Carnival, said Bloomsburg holds a special place in his family's heart, and that's why he wanted to bring the best here.

"We have been coming for 50 years, three generations of my family," he said. "We consider Bloomsburg to be our local hometown fair, and we love to shine here."

Also making a special appearance at the luncheon was young Rachael Burmeister, riding her horse, Coosa, into the education building to promote the 4-H Horse and Pony Drill Team performances that will be part of the livestock events.

"We have a wide variety of animals and attractions to see, so we welcome everyone to come check it out," said Jeff Giger, superintendent of livestock.

Carey Howell, superintendent of the grandstand shows, said tickets are still available for all shows. Scheduled performers include Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, Jeff Dunham, The Gaither Vocal Band, Rodney Atkins, Billy Currington, Aaron Kelly and Brantley Gilbert.

Howell said Dunham has been using one of his characters, "old man Walter," to talk about Bloomsburg in his act.

"We got a report from someone who saw him in Las Vegas said Walter asked the crowd if they've ever heard of Bloomsburg, Pa.," Howell said. "I imagine he will have a lot to say in his own way when he finally performs on our stage."

This year will mark the first year a new grandstand stage will be used for entertainment.

Meanwhile, the free stage will feature a number of area acts this year, but missing from the list is noted Elvis impersonator Ryan Pelton, who is filming an independent film about Presley and could not make it this year.

There will also be entertainment on the fairgrounds, including the high flying Dock Dogs, The Gold Rush High Dive, impersonators Scott Epperson (Barney from Mayberry) and James Hayley (Abraham Lincoln), percussionists Drum the Bucket, jugglers and acrobats The Dazzling Mills Family and more.

Tickets for the fair are $8 each at the gate.

Paul Reichart, fair board president, said that there will be more than 50 new vendors this year at the fair, and an estimated 10,000 entries in the agriculture, horticulture and arts and crafts categories.

"We welcome everyone to come out, have a great time and make this fair the best ever," Reichart said.