Jacktown Fair heads into 150th year
Don’t blame Walter “Buck” Burns if he seems a little anxious about now.
Burns is in his 28th year as president of the Richhill Agricultural Society, which organizes the Jacktown Fair in Greene County, a fair that is preparing to celebrate its 150th year by launching its sesquicentennial with a traditional parade Tuesday through Wind Ridge and the crowning of Miss Jacktown Fair.
The fair, the “nation’s longest continuing fair,” will continue through July 18.
Burns, who relies on a host of volunteers to ensure a smooth-running weeklong event that attracts nightly crowds, said there has been an effort to “dress up” the hilltop fairgrounds.
“We have put a new archway on the gate, erected new signs and worked very hard to improve the overall appearance,” he said.
Yet, despite his three decades-plus involvement with the Jacktown Fair that includes serving on the board in addition to his presidency, Burns still worries about the weather. “I am keeping my fingers crossed because it is very costly when there is bad weather,” he said.
Now retired from Burns Tire Service Inc., the man who has become synonymous with the Jacktown Fair has considered stepping away from the pressures of making sure the event comes off each year. “But frankly, there is no one else to step up,” he said, “so I might just stay with it. It seems that I have always done it and it’s great to give back to the community. I was raised here and this fair is part of my heritage.”
The fair officially kicks off with the parade at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, featuring Tabitha Schiller, the reigning 2014 Jacktown Fair Queen and Jordan Karvan, 11, the 2014 Jacktown Fair Princess.
Russell C. Redding, who was confirmed by the state Senate May 14 as the 26th secretary of agriculture for the Commonwealth, will also attend.
Burns said his brother, Alfred, will be recognized as Outstanding Fair Ambassador.
Acting as parade marshals will be the present fair board of directors. They include Harry E. Gardner Jr., Walter Burns, Dana A. Wilson, Jamie Dinsmore, C.J. Behm Jr., James Rizor, Alfred Burns, Randy Burns, Jamie Campbell, Nyle Burns, Dennis Householder, Murray Hoy, James Behm, Andrew Burns and Zack Patton.
A new addition to the parade is the 150th Year Mini-Float Contest. Entries in this category will receive prizes of $40, $30, $20 and $10. This is to be a float constructed on a child’s wagon, a wheelbarrow, garden cart or small cart. It can be hand-pulled or pulled by a lawn-size tractor.
The new contest is in addition to the annual float contest, which awards prizes of $100, $75, $50 and $25. Both float contests will use the fair theme of “Harvest the Fun.”
The eighth annual Jacktown Idol continues to be a big hit at the fair. The vocal talent competition is fashioned after the “American Idol” television series.
The emcee for the event will be Doug Wilson of WANB Radio. The judges have yet to be finalized.
The first-place winner will receive $1,000 and 30 hours of recording time at Silent Wing Audio in Bobtown; the second-place winner will receive $500 and 15 hours of recording time; and the third-place winner will receive $300.
Entries are still being accepted as long as spaces are available. Entry forms can be downloaded from the fair’s website, jacktownfair.org.
In addition to the entertainment, there will be livestock judging, rides and of course, food.
And as the slogan says, “You can’t die happy ’til you have been to the Jacktown Fair.”