‘From the Farm Gate to the Dinner Plate’
WAYNESBURG — The historic Greene County Fair, a beloved tradition since the 1860s, is one of the county’s longest-running events, an important piece of local history that has always recognized the importance of agriculture and farming.
?And next week, 144 years after the very first fair in Greene County, that tradition will proudly continue.
The 2011 Greene County Fair, which features the theme of “From the Farm Gate to the Dinner Plate,” will be held Sunday, Aug. 7 through Saturday, Aug. 13, at the county fairgrounds.
Debbie Stephenson, secretary/treasurer for the Greene County Fair Board, said this year’s fair will offer many of the traditional fun events that fairgoers have come to love as well as live musical performances from acclaimed and popular groups such as The Stickers and the Chris Higbee Project.
“They both performed at last year’s fair, and they were so terrific that we are happy to have them back again this year,” she said. “In fact, a lot of attractions and activities are returning because they are very popular with the crowds. The biggest difference this year will pertain to some scheduling changes, which were done to better accommodate the crowds.”
In addition to those musical performances, the 2011 Greene County Fair will offer no shortage of family fair fun. There will be many different types of events and activities that offer some fun for everyone, including draft horse halter and hitch shows, horse and pony pulls, amusement rides, harness racing, tractor pulls, a petting zoo, monster truck rides, a demolition derby and much more.
Agriculture and farming will once again be spotlighted with a number of scheduled events throughout the week, including the 4-H and open goat show, open rabbit show, 4-H and open dairy cattle show, 4-H and open beef cattle show, and 4-H market and lamb and steer shows and sales, to name a few.
Fans of excitement and roaring engines will have plenty to cheer about throughout the week, as the fair features truck pulls by Power Pulling Productions, LLC. The fair will also feature the return of smash ’em up action with the popular Croushore’s Demolition Derby.
This year’s fair will also feature several unique attractions throughout the week. Dennis Beach’s Custom Wood Carvings will offer several shows daily, and there will also be free Monster Truck Rides as well as Jan Marchezak’s Barnyard Petting Zoo. These events will be featured Aug. 9 through Aug. 13.
Also, royalty will be on display at the fair when a number of young ladies will once again compete for the title of Greene County Fair Queen on Saturday, Aug. 6 at the fairgrounds. The Fair Queen winner will have the opportunity to compete in the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Contest, which will be held in January 2012 in Hershey.
The fair will once again feature rides from the amusement company Tropical Amusements Inc., that will be bringing a large selection of fun rides for a wider variety of age groups, with rides for children, teens and the whole family.
General admission price to the fair each day is $8. Everyone coming through the gates must have a ticket.
Stephenson said despite the overwhelming amount of different attractions and events, the fair will once again focus on its most important aspects.
“The Greene County Fair will proudly continue its long-running tradition of emphasizing the importance of agriculture, especially in rural areas like ours,” she said.
Stephenson also thanked the many sponsors, the county commissioners and employees, 4-H youth, vendors and exhibitors who support, assist with and participate in the fair each year.
“Without any of them, there would be no traditional fair in Greene County,” she said. “Their contributions help ensure that the Greene County Fair showcases its proud heritage, each and every year.”
Stephenson stressed that the annual fair is a true family event.
“Throughout the whole week, the fair offers a wonderful variety of wholesome entertainment for everyone in the family,” she said. “Hopefully everyone will come out and support the Greene County Fair, and have the time of their lives. That is what the fair is all about.”