57th annual Fayette County Fair comes to a close
The Pocket Flag Project finished well over its goal with 1,200 letters written to American troops by fairgoers as of Saturday afternoon. The letters are attached to small flags that will fit in the soldiers' pockets. Going through the letters are, from left, Val Sesler, 4-H advisory committee president; Gypsy Beatty, 4-H assistant; and Cathy Brady, 4-H extension educator.
John and Wendy Morris of Uniontown prepare a vegetarian chili for competition at the fair. Their table is decorated in the theme of their business, Cold Nose Bakery, which prepares treats for pets.
Sheila Basinger of Normalville won first place for chili and third place for booth decoration with her Garden Fare Chili at the Fayette County Fair.
?DUNBAR TWP. — The 57th annual Fayette County Fair ended Saturday night, adding another successful year to this celebration of agriculture.
Despite the heat and some rain, people flocked to the 10-day fair to see the shows and competition and enjoy the carnival and food.
Bill Jackson, fair board president, said Saturday afternoon, “As of yet, we’re up about 2,500 people. The weather is always a tricky thing, but we have a demolition derby and an inside concert (Confederate Railroad) that will go on so we shouldn’t have any cancellations because of the weather.”
He noted, “Prices were good at the livestock auction. Fayette Idol did well. The mud races (Mud Mania held Friday night) were the largest attended show in the Chevron Arena so far this fair.”
The 4-H Livestock Auction held Friday night in the Indoor Arena grossed $295,147.65, an increase of $60,000 from 2010 with seven fewer animals than the previous year.
“The money goes to the kids or the 4-H Livestock Scholarship Fund,” said Linda Rooker, co-chairwoman of the livestock auction committee and fair board secretary.
Money goes to the scholarship fund when someone buys an animal and then donates it to the scholarship fund for resale.
This year, CiaCie Energy Services purchased the grand champion lamb for $36 a pound for a total of $4,824. Perry Stone Supply bought the grand champion goat for $11 a pound for $1,034. Jamieson’s Shop’n Save bought the champion swine at $12 a pound for $3,324. Joe Hardy purchased the champion steer for $8.50 a pound for $10,965.
Chili competition took place in the Fiddlers Building Saturday, filling the air with a wonderful aroma.
Sheila Basinger of Normalville took first place for chili in her third year of competition.
“I’m excited,” she said, giving credit to her mother for teaching her to cook.
Wendy Friend of McClellandtown won first place in the booth decoration with her Witches Brew Chili, even dressing up as a witch to take the prize.
“This is my first time to win first place in the both contest,” she said. “My family gave me the ideas and I went from there.”
Results included: chili — Wendy and John Morris of Uniontown, second place; and Bonnie Mortimer of Mount Pleasant, third; booth decoration — Mortimer, second with her Spooktacular Chili (another Halloween theme); and Basinger with Garden Fare Chili (a garden theme).
Meanwhile, the Pocket Flag Project finished Saturday in the Youth Building well over its goal.
“We have 1,200 flags and they can still write letters,” said Cathy Brady, 4-H extension educator, Saturday afternoon. “The VFW supported us. They gave a donation to help the 4-H program and gave their time and we’d like to thank them.”