THE BALLOON MAN

Canton Fireman's Fair kicks off


Review Photo/ERIC HRIN
 Riding the merry go round at the Canton Fireman's Fair Tuesday are Laurie and Addison Perry, left, and Tommie and Emma Moyer, all of Canton.
from:  thedailyreview.com
BY ERIC HRIN (Staff Writer)
July 11, 2012
CANTON - With a long line of people at the ticket booth Tuesday, the Canton Fireman's Fair appeared to be getting off to a strong start on its inaugural day.

"Today is a nice day, not too hot or cold," said Jodie Bardo, fair coordinator, as the fair opened Tuesday evening. "We have a good turnout for being this early."

This year, the ferris wheel at the fair features an LED light show, which Bardo described as "mesmerizing."

Review Photo/ERIC HRIN
 Dave Stiner with Penn Valley Shows stands by the ferris wheel at the Canton Fireman's Fair. LED lights on the ferris wheel will provide a light show for participants this year.
A total of 720 light fixtures containing approximately 60 LED lights each are attached to the rim and the spokes of the ride, which is operated by Penn Valley Shows of Middleburg, Pa.

A representative of the ride company said the lights alone cost $65,000.

Bardo said the light show is beautiful and features different colors and patterns.

"At night, it's gorgeous," she said. "Every time it went around, I saw different colors."

Another new feature this year is Red Velvet Funnel Cakes with cream cheese frosting. You can buy them at The Funnel Cake Company stand.

 

Review Photo/ERIC HRIN
 A new feature this year at the Canton Fireman's Fair is Red Velvet Funnel Cakes with cream cheese frosting. You can buy them at The Funnel Cake Company stand. Here, Lucy Khakimova shows the funnel cakes.
Christina Bush, who calls herself the "funnel cake queen," said the new funnel cakes are sweet and delicious. The funnel cakes are dyed with food coloring and are made with chocolate. Powdered sugar tops them off.
 She said customers like the funnel cakes so much that they "spread the word and come back."
 "They find us," she said.
 One participant, Laurie Perry, who was there with her child, Addison, said she enjoyed watching the kids at the fair have fun. Addison took a ride on the carousel.
 Another parent, Amber Cutting, was watching her kids ride on a car ride. She said she also came to the fair to listen to the band, "Forgiven," perform.
 Canton Borough Council President Ken Robertson also came to listen to the band. His niece, Alysson Golder, the drummer for the group, was performing. The band plays Christian rock. "Uncommon Sense" also played Tuesday.
 Bardo, meanwhile, noted that the fair is the fire department's big fundraiser.
 The proceeds help the department meet rising expenses. Bardo noted that a full set of bunker gear, for example, costs almost $3,000 today.
 Unlike other fairs, the Canton Fireman's Fair features a daily homemade dinner special.
 Bardo noted that some senior citizens come to the fair just for the special.
 Today, it's ham and scalloped potatoes.
 The fair runs through Saturday, when there will be a fireworks display. The Midway opens at 6 p.m. each night