Fayette County Fair begins
DUNBAR TWP. – The 56th annual Fayette County Fair officially opened Thursday night, a 10-day agricultural showcase that includes competition, entertainment and lots of great food. Bill Jackson, president of the Fayette County Agricultural Association, gave the official welcome during the 6:30 p.m. opening ceremony in the Youth Building.
And referring to an ease in traffic conditions that the state Department of Transportation made to a construction project along Route 119 near the Fayette County Fairgrounds, Jackson told the crowd, “I understand the road may be better and we’re appreciative of that.”
Former 4-H member Tiffany Lehman of Fairchance sang the national anthem and Jackson introduced the fair board members, including John Blaney Jr., David Biggerstaff, Randy Breakiron, Walt Bumgarner, Chris Diamond, William Gallagher, William Gardner, Anthony Regula Jr., RaeLynn Regula, Linda Rooker, John Springer and Ed Stanish Jr.
Jackson recognized government officials with state Rep. Peter Daley, D-California, and state Rep. Deberah Kula, D-North Union Township, making remarks about the great quality of the fair.
John Scott, regional director of the state Department of Agriculture, presented an Outstanding Fair Ambassador award to former fair board member Sue Koleck, “for her commitment to the state’s agriculture industry and life-long leadership, volunteerism and dedication to the Fayette County Fair.”
The award recognizes “the hard work and dedication by fair volunteers throughout the commonwealth.”
Koleck said, “It’s an honor to accept this award because so many people are just as deserving.”
Koleck, who stepped down last year as fair board secretary, has a long history with the fair. Her father, the late Ray Bierbower, showed at the first Fayette County Fair and was a past fair board member. Her family began participating in 4-H in 1962 and Koleck started in 1967. She has volunteered many years in the fair office and on the fair board.
Koleck told the audience, “The fair becomes a part of our lives. It’s not something we do because we expect an award but because we want the fair to succeed.”
Gabrielle Springer, 2009 Fayette County fair queen, introduced this year’s fair queen contestants, including Kodye Kobaly of Flatwoods, Lindsey Butler of Bullskin Township, Jessika Stoots of Connellsville, Jessie Ross of Connellsville, Shienna Ross of Uniontown, Sarah Scully of Dunbar and Elizabeth Hendrick of Bullskin Township.
Jessica Ross became the 2010 Fayette County Fair Queen and Sarah Scully of Dunbar was declared the 2010 Fayette County Fair Princess during competition, which began at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiddlers Building.
Prior to the competition, the contestants rode in the 7 p.m. Firemen’s Parade, which took place throughout the fairgrounds.
The line-up included the following fire departments participating, Adah, Allison No. 1, Allison No. 2, American Ambulance, Brownsville Fire Co. No. 2, Bullskin Township, Connellsville Township, Dunbar, Edenborn, Farmington, Fayette EMS, Flatwoods, McClellandtown, Monarch, Morrell, New Salem, North Union, Perry Township, Ronco, Rostraver/West Newton, South Connellsville, South Union, Springfield, Tower Hill No. 2 and West Leisenring.
Opening night also included the judging of baked goods, a performance by The Stickers country band and the first of three demolition derbies that will be held throughout the fair.