Fayette County Fair begins 51st edition
DUNBAR – The 51st year of the Fayette County Fair kicked off Thursday night with a parade of fire trucks and opening ceremonies featuring a county dignitary and the state fair queen. Numerous bystanders took in the sights and sounds of passing fire trucks and antique tractors, while enjoying the mainstay attractions at the fair by munching on gyros or drinking lemonade made on the spot.
Faithful fairgoers Gordon and Darlene Jacobs showed their enjoyment of the annual attraction by remembering when Gordon was an expert dime-tosser when they were teens coming to the fair.
“He won for me those fancy glass dishes,” said Darlene Jacobs.
Although the Labelle couple has toned down their fair-going activity since then, they said they still love the food, mentioning the snow cones and potato fries, and now have fun with their grandchildren. Their grandchildren have driven in from Lancaster to see the fair in prior years.
“It’s our county, our fair. We come to enjoy it,” said Darlene Jacobs. “You meet nice people. It’s someplace to go that’s close in our area.”
Gordon Jacobs added, “Anything you want, they have.”
Their son, Matt Jacobs of Labelle, taped the parade with plans to compare this year’s Fayette County Fair to fairs in Greene and Washington counties in a contest between he and his friends who are going to attend the other county fairs.
“I’m trying to win it for Fayette County,” he said.
His daughter, Peyton Jacobs, 7, won a stuffed dog, popping a balloon with her first dart thrown at a carnival game Thursday at the fair. Peyton said she enjoys all the animals at the fair, especially the pigs.
Scotty, 9, and Nicky, 7, Gardner of Grindstone sat with their friend Hunter Morris, 9, of Perryopolis as the fire trucks passed.
Morris came to see his father, a Perry Township volunteer firefighter, drive the fire truck in the annual firemen’s parade in which over 20 county fire departments from Morrell to Fairchance participated as well as local ambulance services.
“I’m watching my dad be a firemen,” he said. Morris said he wants to be a fireman “a little.”
Nicky Gardner said he came to the fair with his best friend, Porky, his pet pig. Gardner is working with Porky in 4-H and will show the pig in the open carcass show. Scotty enjoys 4-H also as he works with the lambs, pigs and steers.
Their mother said she attends the annual 10-day event for the privilege of watching her children enjoy the attractions at the fair and participate in the 4-H shows.
“This is what I look forward to every summer,” she said, noting she’s been coming since she was 7-years-old and her children have been coming since they’ve been born.
Darlene Beal of Connellsville has plans to bring her 2-year-old granddaughter to the fair so she can take part in the fun. Beal had nothing but good things to say about the Fayette County Fair.
“I think it’s the nicest fair in the U.S.,” Beal said.
At the opening ceremonies, Fair Board President Bill Jackson welcomed fairgoers, while 2005 Fair Queen Kristi Rooker introduced each girl competing in the annual Fair Queen Contest.
The daughter of Keith and Linda Rooker of Uniontown, Rooker handed over her title Thursday night, but remained Fayette County’s first state fair queen. She’ll hold that title until January of this year.
“I look forward to the next 10 days,” she said. “Let the fair begin.”
The crowd also heard from Fayette County Commissioner Joseph Hardy III who said a few words.
“This fair has to be one of the best in the state,” Hardy said, complimenting Jackson for bringing people together at the annual event. “Whatever you do, have a great time.” Jackson said Hardy and commissioner Vince Vicites are big supporters of the fair.
While all fair queen contestants endured a grueling daylong schedule, Rooker handed over her title and crown to new fair queen Deanna Liptak of Grindstone, while Kalie Minick of Scottdale was crowned princess.
Those competing for the title were Rebecca McGee of Dunbar, Heidi Wiltrout of South Connellsville, Kalie Minick of Scottdale, Shauna Couch of Hopwood, America Cardine of New Salem, Katie Lee of Farmington, Emily Rosinski of Vanderbilt, Deanna Liptak of Grindstone and Katie Swaney of Grindstone.
Charlotte DeCarlo, chairperson of the event, said the girls were at the fair since 2:30 p.m. competing in a “very grueling” interview process with the judges.
“They’re very happy with what they did and the judges are happy with them,” said DeCarlo.
Judges for the competition were Joann Brookover, Jackie Nicholson and Tina Sokol. Members of the Fayette County Fair Board escorted the girls to the stage.
Linda Diamond, co-chairperson for the event, said the competition is important for increasing the awareness of agriculture in the state since the girls make public appearances speaking of the industry’s importance. Diamond added that agriculture is the number one industry in the state.