The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Homepage

September 6, 2009

Perfect weather draws crowds to Stoneboro Fair

STONEBORO — The crowd in front of a small green stage marveled at the alligator a man in a tan safari shirt and cargo shorts carried to display.

“He’s probably more afraid of you than you are of him,” Grant Kemmerer explained Saturday as his assistant held the reptile. “It’s when animals become unafraid of humans that they get dangerous.”

Kemmerer is part of Wild World of Animals, which travels across the country, putting on entertaining and informative shows about all types of exotic animals.

He said his goal is to dispel myths about certain animals and show that they all have a role to play in the grand scheme of things.

“They are neither Hollywood villains nor Disney characters,” he said.

Rich and Sharen Pachis of Hadley brought their grandsons, Jordon and Donald Edinger, to the fair and went to the animal show.

“We really liked it,” said Donald, adding that he learned a lot from Kemmerer.

It was one of the many popular events at the Great Stoneboro Fair, which continues through Monday at the Stoneboro Fairgrounds. There was also an antique tractor pull, and Bull Ride Mania at the grandstands, which fair officials said is one of their most popular events.

“That’s when things really get interesting,” said Nancy McDowell, the fair’s publicity director. “People show up in cowboy hats and we fill the grandstands.”

Today at 8 p.m., country music star Chuck Wicks takes the stage. Monday will feature The U.S. Motocross Championship Series at 7 p.m. Ms. McDowell said both should also draw large crowds.

“Those guys (motorcyclists) are crazy,” she said. “When they do their flips, they go above the top of the stands.”

Saturday’s tractor pull drew contestants from several states trying to drag a heavy weight a longer distance than other competitors.

One of them was Mike Fleeger, who came from Chicora in Butler County.

“Stoneboro seems to bring a good group from all over to pull,” said Fleeger, whose children also participated. “It’s a good sport, it gets the kids away from their cell phones and their video games for awhile.”

In one of the barns, Melanie Horchler of Volant judged sheep in a 4-H competition.

“We’re looking for strong, complete and correct sheep,” she said.

“For the meat breeds, we’re looking for good muscling, because that’s what they’re going to end up as. The breeding stock, they need to be able to walk and look nice.”

Although attendance numbers were not available Saturday, Ms. McDowell said clear skys and warm weather seemed to boost attendance.

“We’ve been very blessed,” she said.

Text Only
Perfect weather draws crowds to Stoneboro Fair
by By Patrick Cooley , , Sun Sep 06, 2009, 12:52 AM EDT
Local News
  • Hood surfer back home, recovering

    Natalie Huff, the 17-year-old girl critically hurt in a hood-surfing accident, made it home Friday for the first time since she was run over by a friend’s car last month.
    David Huff, Natalie’s father, said she was in excellent spirits.
    “She just wants to come home,” he said. “She wants out of the hospital. She’s doing really well.”
     

    Continued ...
    9/4/2010 3:00 pm
  • Kelly: Jobs are the key to restoring economy

    When businesses are healthy, they hire people, and everyone wins, according to Congressional candidate Mike Kelly
    The Republican challenger announced his “Pathways to Prosperity” job plan Friday in time for Labor Day weekend at JFS Wealth Advisors in Hermitage. He also made stops in Butler, Crawford, and Erie counties.
    Kelly, who faces U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie, D-3rd District in November, said he’s been up and down the county and hears about two concerns: jobs and the economy.
     

    Continued ...
    9/4/2010 12:00 pm
  • Couple restoring a local landmark: Owners see house as ‘showpiece’

    The gardens were renowned and the house was a resting stop for future presidents.
    Now, Dan Briceland and his wife Kristin are restoring the structure at 379 state Route 7 in Brookfield to its original glory.
    Built in 1816 by Navy Capt. James Christy, the dilapidated house went up for sale this spring. The Bricelands, who have always wanted to restore an historic house, put in a bid and won.
     

    Continued ...
    9/4/2010 9:00 am 1 Photo
  • Cleanup planned for 2nd city neighborhood

    The Irvine Avenue cleanup in Sharon was so successful that similar efforts are being planned for another part of the city.
    The Sharon Beautification Commission is organizing a cleanup for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 2 for Meek Street and several surroundings streets, Sharon City Manager Tom Lavorini told council Thursday.
     

    Continued ...
    9/3/2010 3:00 pm
  • Lock up vehicles, police urge

    Residents should be alert for suspicious activity and keep their cars and homes locked in the wake of a recent rash of thefts from cars — some of which were left unlocked, Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Chief Riley Smoot said.
    The most recent thefts were reported Wednesday in the Dogwood Lane, Oak Hill Drive and Kiwanis Road area of West Middlesex.
     

    Continued ...
    9/3/2010 12:00 pm

Sports

Death Listing
  • Deaths from Sept. 4, 2010

    Frances M. Bartholomew, 84, Masury.
    Martha Jane “Bunny” Miller Burger, 89, Athens, Ga.
    William “Bill” Heckman Jr., 83, Findley Township.
    Phyllis M. Szwed Ludwick, 80, Jefferson Hills, Pa., formerly of Delmont, Pa.
    Anna Marie Redfoot, 90, West Salem Township.
    Kathryn Redmond, 90,  Farrell.
    Alice Marie Shaffer, 87, Pymatuning Township, formerly of Sharpsville.

    September 4, 2010

Donate to Shoe our Children
Featured Ads
AP Video
Digital Edition Login
TV & E
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Kid Scoop