Fair gets grant
DUNBAR TWP. – State Rep. Peter J. Daley proved a welcome visitor to the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Fayette County Agricultural Improvement Association Inc. as he presented the organization with a grant check for $450,000. “I think what you do here in Fayette County is remarkable,’ Daley, D-California, who is minority chairman of the House Agricultural Committee, told about 250 association members and guests as they met Thursday night on the Fayette County Fairgrounds. “I’ve been involved with the agricultural committee for six years. …And I felt we had a great opportunity to help you, put you on the map and make you significant in the eyes of Pennsylvania.’
Daley’s staff issued a press release that said the presentation was also from Democratic Leader, Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg. Daley told the association that this effort had the support of the local legislative blockade as well as Gov. Ed Rendell. State Rep. Jim Shaner, D-Dunbar, also attended the dinner.
“We believe your fair is growing. We believe your fair is exciting and it means something to the people of this region,’ Daley said. “It’s absolutely a pleasure to present to you a check for $450,000.’
Daley received a standing ovation and Bill Jackson, association president, accepted the check, commenting, “Thank you, Pete, for all your efforts.’
The check will actually be issued to the Fayette County Commissioners on behalf of the agricultural association. Daley’s release explained, “The funding will be used to upgrade and improve the existing large arena so that it may be used for a broader range of events, even in inclement weather. The various elements of this proposal are part of a larger program of improvements adopted by the fair board over the past two years.
“Phase one of the improvements began in spring 2006 and commenced with the upgrading of bleachers in the large arena. Phases two, three and four will place roofs over the bleachers, construct a restroom and new press/announcer box, and add an enhanced speaker system.’
The press release also said the improvements will allow the fair to schedule shows and entertainers outside of the fair season, and to book shows with higher guarantees that would otherwise be lost in the event of rain.
The fair association refers to this area as the Outdoor Arena, which consistently attracts large crowds every night of the annual 10-day fair with such shows as Monster Trucks, tractor pulls, motocross, lawnmower races, rodeos and three demolition derbies.
The fair association this year finished a project to make improvements in seating for the Outdoor Arena, replacing wooden bleachers with aluminum bleachers and bringing the arena up to state code. The project began in 2004 on the south side of the arena and finished this year on the north side.
The project brought seating capacity from 3,000 to 5,000 and also created additional handicapped-accessible seating at the arena.
To pay for the project, the fair board took out a 10-year loan and is now making annual payments of $31,000. The fair association hosted a number of fund-raisers, including a capital campaign and offered the public a chance to win a new Ford truck at the 2006 fair, to help pay this bill.
During Thursday’s meeting, association vice president Bill Gardner explained the work on this project as well as other capital improvements to the grounds this year, including adding more parking spaces, painting buildings, paving roads and building a new office on the far side of the fairgrounds that included a picture area for livestock exhibitors.
Treasurer John Blaney gave a financial report that noted this year’s 4-H livestock sale brought in $265,717.40.
“That was down a little over $50,000,’ said Blaney. “We sold more animals and prices were good but not as high as they have been.’
Officials noted that Jamieson’s Shop’n Save proved the top volume buyer at the sale and Joe Hardy, Fayette County commissioner, was also a significant buyer.
Blaney reported that income from admissions was down about $17,000 from last year, although paid attendance was up 64 people. This was because the fair sold more advance tickets, offering fairgoers a chance to buy admission tickets for $6 before the fair instead of $9 at the gate.
After the meeting, Blaney estimated total attendance for the 2006 fair was between 94,000 and 95,000.
That includes a paid gate of 58,000. The rest came from exhibitors and 4-H youths as well as a number of fairgoers who took advantage of opportunities for free admission on specific days set aside for senior citizens, grange members, those contributing to the community food bank and those who showed up on the Sunday bringing that day’s bulletin from their churches.
Blaney noted, “There were 2,700 people who came on Sunday with a church bulletin.’
During elections for the board of directors, association members voted to retain John Blaney Jr. of Franklin Township, Randy Breakiron of North Union Township, Chris Diamond of Smithfield and John Springer of Vanderbilt while electing new members David Biggerstaff of Belle Vernon and Robert Harper Jr. of Uniontown. They will serve a two-year term on the board, which includes 13 members with one appointed from the Penn State Agricultural Extension Office. Board members Larry Chaikcic and Bill Gallagher received applause as their retirements were announced.
Other speakers included Jackson, giving a round-up of the fair; 2006 Fair Queen Rebecca Giles of Belle Vernon, 2006 Fair Princess Kelsey Breakiron of Hopwood, Lee Robinson of Washington County, who is president of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs, and Don Fretts, cooperative extension agent.
Fretts spoke of the importance of agriculture, noting, “Fayette County still manufactures over $23 million of raw agricultural products annually. This is something we can’t allow the public to take for granted. If we do, it’s our loss.’