Dawson fair draws crowd for ATV contest
LOWER TYRONE TWP. – Tuesday night’s main attraction at the Dawson Grange Community Fair in Lower Tyrone Township was the ATV obstacle course contest. And, according to Robin White, registration chairman, about 127 children 12 and under signed up for the event.
“We usually get about 150 quads for the ATV contest,” said White. “So I wouldn’t say this is one of our largest crowds. However, we will more than likely run until midnight or 1 a.m. with this many entrants.”
White said more people show up for the mud bog on Saturday and said she expects to see between 200 to 220 entrants.
“The kids just love this and so do the parents,” said White, as she mixed formula in a baby bottle for her toddler grandson. “We see boys and girls from all ages starting at 2 and 3 years old participating.”
White’s husband, Steve White, is actually in charge of the ATV obstacle course contest and does the announcing. White said she and her husband have been involved in the contest for the past five years. She said that trophies are awarded in all classes and for the fastest time of the night.
Seven-year-old Brandon Krumanacker of Connellsville was anxious to get started on the course since this was his first time competing.
“I’m going to drive as fast as I can so that I win a trophy,” said the Dunbar Township second-grader. “I’ve been practicing very hard for this.”
Krumanacker’s aunt, Jennie Hone, said he was really looking forward to Tuesday’s race.
Joe Espey of Scottdale said his son, Joe Dog Espey, 8, was raring to go.
“He qualified earlier this year for an ATV race up in New York,” said Espey. “There were 700 and some quads there and he did real good. We have been doing this for about two years now, and he loves it.”
As he revved his engine, the Ruffsdale Elementary School student said, “I can’t wait to get started.”
Grange board member Emma Jane Davis said although not as many people entered agriculture items this year, what they did enter was “fabulous.”
“It took us about three hours to judge the produce, flowers, fruits and nuts, dairy products and more,” said Davis. “We were very, very happy with the turnout. Some of the people said their tomatoes didn’t do so well this year because we didn’t have much rain.”
The Rev. Roger Applebee, retired from the Dawson Cochran Memorial Church, and his wife Rhoda, were once again big winners at the fair.
“We entered cabbages, a scarecrow, pumpkins, green beans, peas, beets and all kinds of flowers,” said Rhoda Applebee.
“We don’t know if we won anything for our jellies yet, but we did win a number of first- and second-place ribbons on the other items we submitted.”
Applebee said she and her husband have entered items over the past four or five years and said that they spend the entire week at the fair. The Applebees lived in the township for 10 years before retiring to Flatwoods.
“We enjoy the fellowship with the people of Lower Tyrone Township so much that we keep coming back year after year,” said Applebee.
“We know so many of the people in the area and when we come here, I don’t have to cook all week.”
Grange Vice President Dale Gardner said Monday and Tuesday’s turnout has been great.
“Tuesday is a big night with the ATV crowd and King Wolf was on hand with karaoke,” said Gardner.
“Last year, we had a couple of rainy days and that killed us. We are hoping for blue skies for the rest of the week.”
Sgt. Dave Dongilli with the Pennsylvania National Guard said he was recruiting at the fair. He additionally said not too many people were interested in joining.
“A lot of older people have stopped by and asked about the Army truck,” said Dongilli “but not too many people seem to be interested in signing up for the National Guard.”
Dongilli said he thinks recruitment is down because of everything that is going on overseas and the negative statements that Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld have made on television.
“Another reason is that our tours of duty have been extended,” said Dongilli.
“Almost everyone in our battalion is over there right now, including my son, Jason Dongilli (26), who is 50 miles northwest of Baghdad. He’s been there for two months and he has 10 months to go.”
Dongilli said he’s not worried about his son because they have taken an oath to fight for freedom, and when they get called, they have to do what they have to do.
Wednesday will begin at 7 p.m. with the annual apple pie contest and the Povertyneck Hillbillies at 8 p.m.