‘It’s different every year’
Annual Bedford County Fair opens on a hot, humid SundayBy Wendy McCardle, wmccardle@altoonamirror.com
Article Photos
Fact Box
FAIR SCHEDULE
-- Today:
* 3 p.m., Stock tractor pull
Tuesday:
* Livestock judging throughout the day
* 7:30 p.m., Crossroads Cloggers and John and Jesse Topper
-- Wednesday:
* Livestock judging and the Horse and Pony Show will take place through the day
* 6 p.m., Antique tractor parade
* 6:30 p.m., Small car and pickup truck demolition derby
-- Thursday:
* Livestock judging all day
* 7:30 p.m., Dave Martin's Bullride Mania
-- Friday:
* Horse and Pony Show throughout the day
* 3:30 p.m., Lumberjack demonstration and log sawing contest
* 6:30 p.m., stock car racing
-- Saturday:
* Rides open at 1 p.m.
* 9 a.m., Junior livestock sale
* Horse and Pony Show all day
* 11 a.m., Pet show
* Noon, Children's games and contests
* 7:30 p.m., Imperial Stunt Drivers Auto Thrill Show
BEDFORD - The 135th Bedford County Fair began Sunday with a lot of heat and the first wave of an expected 100,000 regular visitors to the fairgrounds this week.
While there are always first-time guests to the 100-acre property during the seven days of animals, shows, rides and food, many of the hundreds braving the warm, humid first afternoon were people who look forward to the fair every year.
"I've been coming up here a lot of years," said Henry Shaw, who once showed animals at the fair.
The Clearville resident was watching the beginning of the USA-East Sanctioned Truck and Tractor Pull from an area on a hill near the animal barns.
Shaw's granddaughter was showing steer at the fair, and he was looking forward to watching her.
For Shaw, the best part of the fair is the variety.
"It's different every year," he said.
About 4 p.m., the tractor pull was delayed for several hours because of an "unpullable" track, caused by the hot weather and unusually dry surface.
The filled-up grandstand quickly thinned out as attendees fled to different areas of the fairgrounds, many of them to shade provided by a few buildings.
Tom and Linda Christner of Somerset were taking a short break with onion rings and ice cream on a bench just outside of the Junior Exhibits building.
The Christners arrived in the early afternoon and planned on staying until about 11 p.m. Sunday to make the most of their hourlong trip.
"We usually head to the horses first," Tom Christner said. "We check out the 4-H exhibits and see how they decorate the stalls."
"Every year, they come up with something different," Linda Christner said.
Their son also was planning on a day off Monday to make the trip down with three others from the Somerset area for the 3 p.m. stock tractor pull.
For people like April Miller of Artemas, fair traditions are being passed down to other generations.
Miller, watching a portion of the tractor pull competition with her 2- and 4-year-old children, was seeking shade under a large tree while waiting for the Midway rides and attractions to open at 4 p.m.
"We've come here every year," Miller said. "Now we're starting to bring the kids here. They love it."
The Bedford County Fair continues through Saturday at the fairgrounds, located off the Bedford exit of Interstate 99 on Business Route 30.
Monday is Half Price Family and Senior Day, with admission at $4.50. Events today include a stock tractor pull at 3 p.m. Rides open daily at 4 p.m.
Admission Tuesday will be $7. All other days, admission will be $9. Parking costs $3.
For more information, visit www.bedford-fair.com.
Mirror Staff Writer Wendy McCardle is at 946-7520.
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MeerReedr
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07-21-08 7:31 AM
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Bedford always has a nice fair, but their price is high. Huntingdon's is only $5 (includes parking) and Cambria's is $8 (also includes parking). When you figure in the cost of gas to get there...
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