Looks like something big is about to happen at the Huntingdon County Fairgrounds. The activity on the grounds Thursday is a sure sign that “fair week” is about to begin.
The fair officially starts Sunday, Aug. 11. The office is open today and Saturday with staff to answer questions and to sell discount gate admission tickets at $3 each. The admission price will be $4, beginning Sunday.
“We ask that the grounds be visited Saturday only by people who are conducting business or entering exhibits,” said Jim Davis, fair board president. Davis said it takes some time for the farm animals to become accustomed to their new surroundings. “Once the livestock is here for 24 hours, the animals adapt to the people.” Registration was moved away from Sunday to Saturday to alleviate the pressure on the opening day.
David said “safety” is a main priority in getting ready for the fair and then conducting it all week. He and other board members attended a national fair convention where they learned about the many precautions which must be taken for people’s safety.
“It all relates back to Sept. 11,” Davis said. He said they were told “people and cars don’t mix.” There will be designated areas for livestock and horse exhibitors, vendors and the physically challenged.
“Since we are building better facilities for animals, we need to move as much parking outside the gates as we can,” said Mary Ann Buckley, a fair board member. “Our goal this year is to ease the primary livestock traffic.”
This planning was not all done in the past few weeks. It began as soon as last year’s fair ended, along with other planning for this year. The people who serve on the fair board, and the spouses who help them, are all volunteers.
Fairgrounds caretaker Ron Hatch is the fair board’s paid employee. He and his crew have been intensively busy in the past few weeks. Work on the grounds began in May when the grass and weeds began to grow. Hatch said fencing and potholes had to be fixed, buildings needed painted, barns had to be readied and the stalls placed in the new horse barn. New chainlink fence was installed in the race track area, which is part of the parking project. About 500 feet of water lines were laid in place for the campers. Hatch was primarily assisted by “Date” Meshyock and Joe Meshyock during the late spring and early summer months and Michael Harnish in the past few weeks.
Vickie Brown and her sister, Deb Keppler, are in charge of the campers who fill all available spaces on the fairgrounds. There are about 60 campers parked near the office and below Neary and Laney halls. They are about half and half — vendors and pleasure campers, the latter being people who come to the fairgrounds year after year to camp for the week.
“A lot are repeat customers,” Brown said. There are 80 campers who are associated with the livestock exhibits or the operation of the fair. “We tuck them in everywhere; they are on both sides of the creek, some near the barns. They always have a good time.”
Davis said during the July fair board meeting they are fortunate to have the county permit Sheriff William Walters and the department’s deputies to serve as security at the fair. Walters said Thursday he has scheduled a full staff of people from the opening day until the following Sunday morning to provide “around the clock coverage.” An office with communication equipment is located in Owen Hall.
“The things we will not tolerate for the safety of others should be obvious: No alcohol, no illegal substances, no disruptive behavior and no dogs will be permitted on the grounds,” Walters said. The Sheriff’s Posse will also be represented and members of various fire police organizations will also be present.
