Fayette County Fair opens gates
The 55th annual Fayette County Fair kicked off on Thursday with the fair queen contest, the Fireman’s Day parade, and all of the sights and sounds that make the yearly event rife with family fun. “Everyone is ready to ride,” said Maureen James of Dunbar. James brought along her three children, Trina, 14; Jon, 11 and Gina, 7.
All three said they were eager to play games and ride rides – but Jon James said he was most excited to go to the evening’s Croushore’s Championship Demolition Derby.
“We go every year,” he said.
Also performing at last night’s fair were the Kortney Jean Bad and Trapline.
Gabrielle Springer was selected as the 2009 Fair Queen. She was one of seven contestants vying for the title. Springer, 18, of Vanderbilt is a recent graduate from Uniontown Area High School.
Sarah Scully, 18, from Franklin Township was selected as the Fair Princess. She graduated from Uniontown Area High School.
Executive Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding said that coming to the Fayette County Fair “feels like home.”
“You see everything that’s right about the county and the community when you’re here,” he said during the opening ceremony at the Youth Building.
He noted that coming to the fair is a celebration of agriculture
Redding had with him Kristi Rooker, the 2004 Fayette County Fair Queen and the 2005 Pennsylvania State Fair Queen. He said Rooker now works with the Department of Agriculture as a fair fund administrator.
“She represents you well,” he said.
Redding also lauded the volunteer fair board, whom he said take vacation to make sure that the fair is a yearly success.
“This is more than just a 10-day vacation – there’s a lot of work,” he said.
County fair board president Bill Jackson also offered a word of thanks to prior board members.
“This was a very progressive fair from day one. Without the people who came ahead of us, there wouldn’t be one,” he said.
Jackson said that a new roof over the bleachers, and a new press box in the outdoor arena were made possible by grants that came from state Reps. Peter J. Daley, Tim Mahoney, Deberah Kula and Bill DeWeese.
Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites also spoke during the ceremony.
“Agriculture is very important to Fayette County. It’s our number one industry, and the backbone of Fayette County,” he said.
Jim Davis, president of the state Association of County Fairs, said he visited Fayette’s fair in the mid-60s, when it was a fledgling operation. Since then, he’s seen a lot of positive changes.
“Great changes happen when volunteers and community come together,” said the Huntingdon County man.
But agriculture, he said, needs a shot in the arm.
“It’s so important. We need to keep building community, and that takes everyone, because agriculture is number one in Pennsylvania,” he said. Rosemary Johnson of Uniontown stays day under her umbrella as she enjoys the Fireman?s Day Parade at the Fayette County Fairgrounds Thursday. The parade helped open this year?s fair. Robert Esquivel/Herald-Standard