Chautauqua County Fair Begins With A Bang

By ASHLEY PADDOCK

County Executive Greg Edwards, left, watches as Chautauqua County Fair President Jeanne Stewart and county legislators Sallie Pullano and Fred Croscut cut a cake celebrating the fair’s 125th year. Photo by Ashley Paddock


7/25/2006 - Special to The Post-Journal: The third time is the charm, or so the motto was for the opening ceremonies of the 125th Chautauqua County Fair on Monday as fair board members tried lighting the Revolutionary War-era cannon. The third try proved a success as the cannon surprised the crowd of legislators and county officials with a loud boom. Fair President Jeanne Stewart welcomed the crowd and the 4-H Teen Ambassadors sang the National Anthem. While the entries have been judged and people were able to see the winners, Stewart explained that some vendors had not yet arrived and the midway rides would not begin until early afternoon. Heavy rain earlier in the week caused a delay in preparing the rides for the event. ‘‘Today we’re making sure everyone is here and in place, the entries have been judged and you can see the winners,’’ Stewart said. ‘‘The weather looks beautiful and so far nothing has gone wrong.’’Following the opening events, legislators and county officials were given a tour of the fairgrounds, with the trolley dropping the guests off at the dairy barn for the unveiling of the newly renovated barn.Barn Renovation Committee members Robin Ormond and Diane Moss spoke of the new steel roof and steel end walls set in place by Mike Pinzok Construction of South Ripley. The renovations were made possible with the gracious donation of $32,000 by businesses, 4-H families and past 4-H family members. A sign was unveiled, located next to the 4-H Snack Shack, listing the names of families and businesses who donated funds for the project.‘‘Our roof was in desperate need of repair,’’ said Ormond. ‘‘We said that when you got wetter in here (the barn) than on the midway, it was time to get a new roof.’’‘‘A lot happened in a very short time and we’re very happy with the end result,’’ Moss said.Ormond added, ‘‘We can’t thank everyone enough, we’re so amazed with the support we’ve been given.’’Led by the 4-H Teen Ambassadors, the guests were treated to a tour of the agricultural barns. A cake and punch reception was held following demonstrations by 4-H members and the unveiling of a memorial for the late senator Patricia McGee.Senator Catharine Young was unable to attend the opening ceremonies. She was called back to Albany on business. However, she will be in attendance Thursday night when she will tour the barns, according to Kevin Muldowney, district representative for Sen. Young’s office.‘‘Growing up on a dairy farm, this is important to her,’’ he said. ‘‘She really loves it. It’s so great to see so many young kids involved. Involved kids are good kids.’’Other than the cannon malfunction, fair Manager Karen Cave said the event began very well. ‘‘It’s always a slow start opening day,’’ she said. ‘‘We have a full midway and the circus is up and running for two shows. I think it’s great.’’The nice weather drew in a respectable crowd. But, with midway rides down and vendors coming in late, this made for disconcerted fair goers. Bob and Becky Vass explained they came to walk around and see the exhibits, people and vendors, but discovered not everything was open. ‘‘We got here at 10 a.m. The fair opens at 10,’’ she said. ‘‘The fair should be open, not all the vendors were there to man their booths yet.’’Mr. Vass explained the rain slowed everyone down a day, however, he felt they still should have been prepared for the opening.Marilynne Northrop and her husband brought their two grandchildren, 6-year-old Ben and 3-year-old Neal Bachman, to the fair while their daughter delivers a baby. While the two cheered ‘‘yay, yay, yay’’ patiently waiting for the midway rides to begin, their grandmother explained the animal barns are her favorite part of the fair experience. Having strated showing cattle at 7 years of age, the animals bring back fond memories for her. Her husband and children were members of 4-H also. ‘‘These are our grandkids and we’re bringing them back to see this,’’ she said pointing to the barn. ‘‘They don’t raise animals,’’ she said. Ben then chimed in with, ‘‘We do raise two fish, Grandma.’’Visitors came from all over the county and even from out of state too. Scott and Sherrie Meyers of Nashville, Tenn. brought their son, while Jennifer Spencer brought her son, two nieces and nephew from Wilksboro, N.C.Despite the slow start, the promise of fun, excitement and laughter loomed in the midday sun.‘‘Come on down,’’ Stewart concluded. ‘‘The fair board directors have done a lot of work. So, come down and enjoy!’’


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