County fair opens with animals, food and festivities
William Piktel of Daisytown won a ribbon for largest Kohlarbi vegetable at Washington County Agricultural Fair. People entered photos, foods, leather works, knitted items and many other items to compete at the fair.
Barb Kostelic holds a brick of fries as Madeleine Endy, 3, of Cecil, looks on in anticipation at Washington County Agricultural Fair Saturday. A variety of foods including fresh-cut fries, pizza and funnel cakes are available.
Derek Allen, 19, of Avella scoops ice cream for a milkshake at the 4-H Dairy Bar stand at the fair. The fair runs through Aug. 20.
Cady Holmes and Rylan Holmes, 3, of Langeloth, color at the Range Resources booth at Washington County Agricultural Fair Saturday.
They grow up quickly.
That old maxim never seemed truer than when you lay eyes on Ethel, a Hereford pig – often called a Hereford hog – who is visiting Washington County Agricultural Fair for the first time.
Born in February, she now tips the scales at 240 pounds, and was likely quite pleased at the prospect of being hosed with some cooling water in one of the barns at the fair early Saturday afternoon, as the temperature hovered near 90 degrees and her fellow pigs were panting to keep cool because they have no sweat glands.
“They always have to be cooled,” said Mona Blumer, an Amwell Township resident and leader of 4 Leaf 4-H Club.
Wilting temperatures notwithstanding, the fair came to life Saturday for the 218th time, kicking off its first full day following a preview Friday night. The ferris wheel and other rides offered some respite from the heat, as did food and a bumper crop of exhibits and attractions, ranging from tractor pulls, a rodeo and cooking contests.
About noon, the judging of baked goods was complete, with makers of cookies, cakes and apple pies being awarded prizes. Being able to smell and taste baked goods is almost certainly not one of the fair’s more thankless jobs, and Kathy Redick, the superintendent of baked goods, pointed out “the great thing about being a volunteer is you get to taste the food.”
Linda Pica and her husband, Paul, were in one of the barns around lunchtime looking at sheep. Coming to the fair has become an annual tradition for the Bethel Park couple, and they explained they frequently visit on multiple days and bring friends. Pica grew up in Wisconsin, was involved in 4H activities and appreciates what county fairs have to offer.
“This is invaluable,” she said. “You see kids out here working with the animals. I’m glad they put in so much effort. It’s so good to see them getting involved.”
The fair is such an essential part of Cheryl Harper’s calendar that one year she brought her grandson the day after he was born. What makes it such an important part of her summer? “The atmosphere, the hustle, the bustle, the excitement,” according to the South Franklin Township resident.
The fair will continue through Saturday, with a school bus demolition derby set for Wednesday, a concert by the Charlie Daniels Band scheduled for Thursday and a milk chugging contest and another demolition derby planned for its closing day.