Despite extensive cuts in funding for event
Opening night goes well for Dawson Grange Fair LOWER TYRONE TWP. – Despite extensive cuts in funding, Monday night marked the beginning of the weeklong 31st annual Dawson Grange Fair.
State funding for the fair was cut by about two-thirds due to issues with the state budget. According to one volunteer, Carol Reed, funding was nearly cut entirely, but was able to continue because of many fundraisers held within the community.
“This is one of the few free fairs left in the country,” Reed said. “We’re very proud of the fair.”
The fair’s opening night was kicked off with the annual fair queen contest. Previous fair queens, including 2009 queen Emily Marchewka, were also present.
“I hope you have as much fun as I had last year,” Marchewka said to this year’s contestants.
The queen contest is for girls aged 16-20 who are residents of Fayette County. Contestants are required to give a speech explaining what the fair means to them.
“I enjoy seeing my friends and family showing their talents and creativity,” winner Danielle Stimmel said in her speech.
Stimmel has been attending the fair ever since she was a little girl, and is also on the Junior Grange Fair Board. As the 2010 fair queen, Stimmel will pass out candy during the fair, help run the concession stand, and will be thrown into the mud bog on Saturday.
“I’m glad to be queen,” Stimmel said. “I get to meet a lot of new people.”
Both queen contestants were presented with flowers. Marchewka also presented Stimmel with a crown and sash. Stimmel will also be given the option of accepting of $200 scholarship or attending another competition in Hershey.
Marchewka was excited to crown Stimmel as the new queen. “I had fun last year,” she said. “I loved the experience.”
In addition to the annual queen contest, this year’s fair also featured a new princess contest for girls ages 2-15, who are too young to enter the queen contest. The winning princess, Madison Davis, 7, of Dawson was chosen by a ticket drawing, and all of the girls were presented with flowers.
“These are our future queens,” Reed said. “They’re all cute little princesses.”
Another new feature of this year’s fair was the recycled art show.
“We try to keep things fresh,” Reed said.
Monday night’s events also included a horse pull and King Wolfe karaoke. In addition, the opening ceremonies included a moment of silence to honor fallen soldiers.
The schedule for the rest of the week is as follows:
Today – 7 p.m., entering of apple pies; 7:30 p.m., judging of apple pies, musical performance by Chris Higbee.
Thursday – 6 p.m., horse shoe pitching; 7 p.m., small tractor pull, pet calling contest for kids, best legs contest, King Wolfe karaoke.
Friday – 6 p.m., horseshoe pitching; 7:30 p.m., dead weight tractor pull and musical performance by Girlz in Black Hats.
Saturday – 10 a.m., horseshoe pitching; 11 a.m. ATV mud bog and pet contest; 6 p.m., Lenape American-Indian exposition; 7:30 p.m., western-style tractor pull, impersonation contest and musical performance by the Travelin’ Road Show.