Mountain area to host community fair
FARMINGTON – Area residents looking to enjoy the hot, hazy days of summer can take in entertainment ranging from all-terrain vehicle drag racing to live bands to a magic show at the 43rd annual Mountain Area Community Fair. The fair, which begins Monday, will feature a host of events throughout the week, with ATV drag races scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday along with live music performed by the Macho Man Band.
On Tuesday, fairgoers can enjoy ATV time trials in the arena, while illusionist Josh Knotts performs at the stage located at the Farmington Volunteer Fire Department fairgrounds on Route 381.
Bicycle races and 4×4 drag races will be featured Wednesday night as well as a magic show by Denny Huber.
On Thursday, the annual parade will begin at 7 p.m. on Route 381 followed by square dancing farm tractors in the arena at 8 p.m. and a karaoke contest.
Truck pull competitions and the Mon Valley Cloggers will be featured Friday night and the fair will conclude Saturday night with the perennial favorite Demolition Derby slated to begin at 7 p.m.
The fair board announced that this year will be the first that no monetary prizes will be awarded for exhibits entered in the fair because of state budget cuts.
According to fair board President Thomas Murray, the state has always reimbursed 50 percent of the total payout in winnings to the fire department in previous years but that figure dropped to just 25 percent in 2009 and no reimbursement is allotted this year.
Murray said he is still encouraging area residents to submit their fair entries, nothing that they will still be judged and awarded ribbons as in prior years.
He said that if a strong contingent of people participates in the exhibits it will help send a message to Harrisburg that community fairs are an important part of local agriculture, community and tourism.
Exhibit entries for the fair will be accepted until 6 p.m. today.