ATV contest closes Dawson Grange Fair
LOWER TYRONE TWP. – With a cold soda in one hand and umbrella in the other, Herman Barton of Perryopolis was trying to beat the heat Saturday as he watched his granddaughter, Mackenzie Comer, 7, also of Perryopolis, participate in the ATV mud bog in the new arena at the 30th annual Dawson Grange Fair that wrapped up festivities for another year. While the fair got off to a soggy start at the beginning of the week, sweltering temperatures ushered in the dog days of summer for the remainder of activities that concluded with horseshoe pitching, a pet contest, western style tractor pull and truck pull. “I think the showcase (of exhibits) was really nice,” said Janet Smith, fair secretary.
According to Sharon Ferris, fair treasurer, the cooler weather on Monday and Tuesday helped with the apple pie and Hershey contests.
With 10 apple pie entries, Ferris said Susan Travelena took first place; Kim Eutsey, second place; and Jamie Hodge, third place.
Smith said there were 10 cakes and five cookies entered in the Hershey contest with Grant Giannini, Sean Keffer and Casey Hawk capturing first, second and third place, respectively, in the youth category for ages 8-18.
Ironically, Smith said the judges picked the same three cakes in the adult category, but had to do another round of tasting to determine first place, which was awarded to Lori Rosensteel, while Rose Keffer received second place and Bonnie Mortimer, third place.
Both Ferris and Smith credit this year’s participation in outdoor events to the new arena that drew a record of 68 tractor entrants for Thursday’s tractor pull that didn’t end until 3:30 a.m.
Ferris said if it weren’t for the vast number of volunteers, the new arena, paid for with fundraisers, wouldn’t have been ready for the fair.
“I never saw so many people volunteer their time to get so much accomplished,” said Ferris.
With the state cutting back on funding fairs, Ferris said it’s hard to rely solely on funding raised from selling food at the booths to produce the seven-day event that offers free admission and no charge to the arena.
“Our goal is to be here for families that can’t afford the price of the big fairs,” said Ferris.
Overall, Smith said the fair had a great week and lived up to its credo of being in full bloom.
Even fair queen Emily Marchewka was excited to take part in a traditional toss into the mud bog.
“It’s been amazing,” said Marchewka. “I had the best time.”
As Joel Pritts, 8, of Dunbar Township sat on his quad with his dad, Kevin Pritts, waiting for the mud bog, he admitted he is no stranger to racing.
Pritts, who learned to ride a motorcycle at age 4, said this was his second year for ATV events.
“It’s no fun if you don’t get dirty,” said Kevin Pritts.
While the quads were revving up, those entering the pet contest were listening to barking, meowing and other animal noises as they prepared to show the judges the most unusual, biggest, smallest, prettiest and well-behaved dogs, cats, goats and turtles.
Olivia Lowther, 10, of Vanderbilt enjoyed eating a strawberry ice cream cone while she waited to hear the results with her 23-year-old box turtle, Twila, determined the most unusual, and a 3-month-old Chinese Crested named Gypsy shown by Gracie Kessler, 4, the smallest dog, to name a few winners.
The number of agriculture and horticulture exhibits also fared well, especially for Marianne Turcheck of Belle Vernon, who received first place in all seven wool entries.
With the help of her daughter, Rebecca Giles, who served as the 2008 state lamb and wool queen, Turcheck gathered the various items she made from wool and sheep and goat milk.
“It’s been a huge project from beginning to end,” said Ferris of this year’s fair.