Kenton County Fair2

Pageants a crowd favorite . . . . . . . . . . .3

Tractor & Semi-truck Pull a must-see . .4

Enhance your fair experience . . . . . . . . .6

Barn yard night a hoot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Horse show popular fair attraction . . . .9

4-H youth prepare animals

for livestock show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Children’s Pet Parade fun for all . . . . 12

InsideThe Kenton County Fair program is published

yearly by the Specialty Publications Department of The Community Press/The Community Recorder.

Questions and comments can be sent to Editor Melissa Haydenc/o The Community Press/394 Wards Corner/Loveland, OH 45140or e-mail mhayden@communitypress.com. Or call 513-591-6166.

For advertising call 578-5501.

Contact

Call 578-5501to advertise in next

year’s KentonCounty Fair book

July 20-25, 2009 3

www.kentoncountyfair.com/09/

For more information and a schedule of events visitBy Tonya Borgatti

Contributor

The Kenton CountyFair will continue its tra-dition of holding pageantsin several age categoriesthis year. The pageantsinclude the Miss KentonCounty, Miss Teen KentonCounty, Miss Pre-Teen,Little Miss/Master, andthe Baby Show.

Sindy Rodrigues hasbeen directing the pag-eants for eight years andis happy to see this stapleof the fair continue yearafter year. “It’s an impor-tant tradition that hasgone on for years andyears - we have peoplecome watch from all areasof Kenton County,” saysRodriguez.

The pageants are aforum for girls to displayinterviewing skills, poise,appearance and presenta-tion. “It isn’t just aboutbeauty,” says Rodriguez.“It’s about character andwell-being of the girls.”

Yvonene Burkart hasbeen assisting with thepageants for three yearsand feels that the pageantis a great stepping stonefor girls who want to par-ticipate in pageants on a

state level. “It gives girlsan opportunity to partici-pate without a high costfactor, and some will goonto state level.”

Registration for MissKenton County and MissTeen Kenton County willbe on Sunday, July 19, at5:30 p.m. Both pageantswill be held the followingevening at the fair wherethe girls will go throughan interview with judges.“We have great judgeslined up who are involvedin the community,” saysBurkart.

Miss Pre-Teen registra-tion will be held at 6:30p.m. on Tuesday eveningwith the pageant follow-ing at 7:30 p.m and LittleMiss/Master will be heldon Wednesday night withregistration at 6:30 p.m.

and the event held at 7:30p.m.

On Saturday, the popu-lar baby shows will beheld throughout the day.Children should be regis-tered one hour prior totheir age category show-times, which can be foundat the fair’s Web site. Nocostumes or makeup arepermitted on childrenparticipating in the BabyShow.

“You wouldn’t believehow many babies comethrough - parents areproud of their children,”says Burkart.

For more informationabout the Kenton CountyFair pageants and theBaby Show times, visitwww.kentoncountyfair.com/09/.

Pageants a crowd favorite at fair

Kenton County Fair4

By Patricia A. ScheyerContributor

There are several must-see events at the KentonCounty Fair this year, andone of them is the annualTractor and Semi-truck Pull,happening on both Fridayand Saturday at 7 p.m.

For those who havelived in the city all theirlives, a tractor pull iswhen a speciallyequipped tractor pulls asled to which an increas-ing amount of weight isadded for the goal length

of 300 feet. Some make it,some don’t, and that is thegame.

“People come to watch,to see who will win,” saysGary Spegal, co-chair forthe event. “I have beencoming to the pull at thecounty fair since I was lit-tle and my dad broughtme. It’s fun, and exciting,and we have food, sincemost people like to eat atspectator events. It is afamily event, and it drawsa nice mix of men, womenand children.”

The tractor pull has

been heldevery yearsince thebeginningof the fair,but thesemi-truckpull wasaddedabout fiveyears ago.While thetractorshave to beweighed so that a weightclass can be determined,the semis are notweighed. Also, the trac-tors might have startedout as a working farmvehicle, but tractor pullingevents are so popular nowthat most competitors

have one tractor that isdedicated only to pullingevents, with high per-formance parts. The semisare working vehicles.

“These are sanctionedevents, and we have clubsthat participate,” explainsSpegal. “We have four

classes onFriday night,and five onSaturdaynight, andwhile wewill havediesel trucksboth nights,the semiswill only bethere onSaturdaynight. We

draw a crowd of about1,000 to 1,500 each night.”

Cap Kiser, who co-chairs the event, enjoys it,too.

“Everbody has theirown taste in events,“ hesays. “But we put on agood show.”

Tractor, Semi-truck Pull, a must see at the fair

Call 578-5501 to advertise inCreativeLiving.

Kenton County Fair6

July 20-25, 2009 7

For pure excitement, nothing beats the county fair – an annual summertime tradition jam-packed with

food, fun, family and friends. It’s definitely an enjoyable experience, but with just a little pre-planning and

some skillful organizing, you can take it from run-of-the-mill ordinary to absolutely awesome! Here, the

15 top things to bring along:

AppetiteSure, the regulars will be there – hot dogs, curly fries, popcorn. But if you listen real hard, you’ll hearyour name being called by the homemade pies, cakes and cookies peeking out from all those exhibitbooths. Do you think those gals win blue ribbons for nothing?

BinocularsThere’s a great country band playing on stage, but you know the rule, right? If you’re even one inchless than 6 feet tall, you must stand behind a woman with the beehive hairdo or the dad with a kidon his shoulders.

CameraKodak moments and county fairs are made for each other – from your little one’s first spin aroundthe carousel to your husband’s glee at winning that giant teddy bear.

Clothing layersThe days are real scorchers, but the nights can be cool. Unfortunately, birthday suits aren’t allowed,so plan accordingly.

Comfy shoesThought you’d impress the boyfriend with that strappy pair of new sandals? Oh, you funny girl.

Fanny packIt’s definitely not a high-fashion statement, but who cares? When you’re chasing your four-year-old,while juggling a tired toddler, two blankies and a couple of sippy cups, you’ll be glad you knowexactly where your car keys are.

Hand sanitizerIt’s a dirty world, people. Think about that.

Money, money and more moneyEnough said.

ScheduleYou drove 50 miles especially for the country music show at 8 p.m. Too bad it started at 6.

Sense of humorThere are 25,000 folks drag racing you for that last parking spot near the front entrance. Check yourirritability and bad mood at the gate.

SnacksIt’s a well-known mathematical equation: Kids + fairs = hunger. So, unless you actually ENJOY conces-sion-stand lines in 100-degree heat, bring along some small bags of easy-to-eat treats for the little ones.

Stadium seat cushionYou’re with your husband and two sons. Those tractor pulls and Monster truck races can go on for-ever. Do you really want to spend all night on that hard, wooden bleacher? Didn’t think so.

SunglassesMovie-star glamour aside, these accessories are actually good for your health. Plus, Miss LaRue, theFortune-Telling Gypsy, will appreciate your air of mystery.

SunscreenRemember the song, “Burn, Baby, Burn?”

WaterClose your eyes and imagine being lost in the desert for a week. Pretty thirsty, huh? There are proba-bly just as many water fountains out in that country field, pal.

Kenton County Fair

By Patricia A. ScheyerContributor

How many times in alifetime is there a chance tochase and catch a greasedpig? The Kenton CountyFair will provide thatchance for anyone braveenough to embarrassthemselves on Friday, July24, beginning at 6 p.m.There are two age cate-gories, starting at age 3.

“We provide little pigsfor the little children,”says Art Darnell, whoorganized the night forabout ten years. “In the 18and over category, held onMonday night, you getsome pretty good-sizedhogs. We grease them upwith livestock soap, andthen station volunteersaround the orange snowfence to keep the pigs

from rooting under andescaping. We have lost afew pigs temporarily, butno one has ever gottenhurt.”

Besides getting downon the level of pigs, thereare other contests forBarnyard night that folksthink are hilarious. Teamsof teens compete to drivemetal fence posts, carry 5gallon buckets of water,tote bales of hay, shell earsof corn, and milk amechanical cow into a popbottle to see who wins.

Children bring stickhorses to compete in races,or dress them up for a cos-tume contest, and there isa chicken rodeo, wherechildren double up to shoochickens from start to fin-ish line, trying to keepthem in the proper lanewithout touching them.

“The night ends upwith the pedal pull, wherechildren ride toy tractorsand a sled while increas-ing weight is added, justlike the big people’s pull,”says Larry Mains ofIndependence, who isorganizing the event thisyear.

“There is a nominal feefor each event which goestoward prize money, butthat doesn’t deter people.We start signing peopleup about 5 p.m. Some ofthe events are prettyfunny, so you shouldcome and watch the fun.”

Barnyard Night a hoot

www.nky.com

By Patricia A. ScheyerContributor

Some of the biggestevents at the KentonCounty Fair are the horseshows. There are four sep-arate nights of shows fea-turing horses and ridersTuesday, Thursday, Fridayand Saturday, and eachone specializes in a differ-ent range of requirements.

Tina Snelling is incharge of the Saturdaynight show, because someof her own horses arebeing shown on the othernights.

“There are 26 classes ofhorse events on Saturdaynight, and it all starts at 6p.m.,” she explains. “Wealways draw a goodcrowd. People who lovehorses want to see hors-es.”

Tuesday night is youthnight. Thursday night isopen classes, and Fridaynight consists of contestslike barrel racing.

“Saturday night is the

culmination of all theother nights,” saysSnelling, who is also thepresident of the fairboard. “Winners of thecontests receive prizemoney, ribbons and tro-phies.”

Snelling thinks thehorse shows are so popu-lar because of the beautyof the animals, and theversatility of the contests.

“The horses are at thetop of their form for theseshows,” says Snelling,“They are washed andgroomed, and the loveand care we put into themshows through.”

Rhonda McCardle,who is in charge of thehorse shows on the three

other nights, also knowshow much time isinvolved.

“We always suggestthat you train your horseat least five times aweek,” said McCardle.“My four kids started rid-ing as early as two yearsold, and they learned totake care of their horsesand train them. It is goodfor them to learn theresponsibility.”

She says horses whoperform in the horseshows train all yearround.

“You will come out ofthe contest with what youput in,” she says. “If youtruly want to compete,you put your life into it.”

July 20-25, 2009

Reach all of the familyCall 578-5501

Horse show popular fair attraction

July 20-25, 2009 11

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KentonCounty Fair

book

By Tonya BorgattiContributor

After a year of preparationand hard work, several KentonCounty area youth will be partic-ipating in the Livestock Show atthe Kenton County Fair. Theseyouth are members of the KentonCounty Cooperative Extension 4-H Club and have learned manyvaluable lessons through thislivestock program.

The youth are required to par-ticipate in six hours of trainingand raising livestock to preparethem for the program. Topicsstudied include feeding and care,animal husbandry, selecting aquality animal, animal trainingand veterinarian care.

“It takes a significant amountof time and practice in workingwith animals to present themoptimally”, says Diane Kelly, 4-Hdirector of the Kenton CountyCooperative Extension. “They areresponsible for the daily care,feeding, watering, health andwell-being of their animal.”

Dustin Schmiade, 13, will beparticipating in the livestockevent at the county fair and is

looking forward to competingwith his steer and hog. “It takes alot of responsibility to go out andwork with the animals. You’vegot to be willing to do whateverit takes to get the animal readyfor the fair.”

Dustin’s mother RoxanneSchmiade is proud of her son and

all of his hard work and is alsograteful for the 4-H program.“It’s a good road for him to godown and he has met a lot ofgood friends. It has definitelytaught him to be a good worker.”

The entire family looks for-ward to watching Dustin com-pete for his third time this year.

“He has been working with theanimals for several months andnow this is his time to shine,”says Roxanne.

Dustin’s cousin KaylynnJackson, 14, has also participatedin the show in the last two yearsand looks forward to showingher steer this year. “The first yearit was sad to sell my steerbecause I made it a pet, but lastyear and this year I’ve been set-ting myself up to sell my steer.”

When asked if he is ever sadto have to sell his animals at thefair’s livestock show Dustinreplied with a smile and chuck-led, “Sometimes - but whenyou’re working with them andthey are a pain, it’s not so bad.”

4-H youth prepare animals for livestock show“It takes a significant amount oftime and practice in workingwith animals to present themoptimally. They are responsiblefor the daily care, feeding,watering, health and well-beingof their animal.”

-Diane Kelly4-H director of the Kenton County

Cooperative Extension

Kenton County Fair

By Patricia A, ScheyerContributor

Kenton County chil-dren ages 11 and undershould get their petsready for the annual PetParade at the KentonCounty Fair. Held onSaturday, July 25, the reg-istration for the paradestarts at 2 p.m. and theactual event starts at 3p.m.

“We usually get about20 to 30 children and theirpets,” says Kara Adkins,who has spearheaded theevent for the past sevenyears. “The only time wehave to turn someoneaway is when they have adog or a cat, but theydon’t have proof of arabies vaccine, which isnecessary.”

Contestants don’t walkfrom point A to point B,like in an actual parade,but instead each childtakes their pet in front ofjudges who ask the childquestions about their pet.

“The judges ask ques-tions that they think thechild can answer, likewhat its name is, or howdo they take care of thepet,” explains Adkins.

“The pet parade wascreated because a childhas to be 9 years old toshow an animal at thecounty fair. Many of theyounger siblings felt leftout, so this event is asolution. And eventhough all the childrenreceive a ribbon for partic-ipation, to get a winningribbon they have to beresponsible enough toknow how to take care oftheir pet.”

The categories for theparade are puppies, smalldogs, large dogs, kittens,cats, rabbits, guinea pigsand other rodents, otherpets, tricks and costumes.

Adkins says that over theyears she has seen somereally cute costumes, aswell as tricks, and somechildren enter more thanone pet.

“One year we had achild dress like ColonelSanders, and inside abucket she carried her petchicken,” she says.“Another time a childdressed like CrocodileDundee, and his weinerdog was dressed like acrocodile. I think every-one has a good time withthis.”

Jennifer Zimmer ofEdgewood helped herdaughter Jessy enter the

parade last year in the cat-egories of puppy, smalldog, costume, animaltricks, and rabbit.

“Jessy was dressed likea hula girl, and two dogswere the big Kahunas, forthe costume contest,” saysZimmer. “She placed inseveral categories, and Ithink she loved it.”

Jessy, who is now fiveis competing again thisyear.

“I liked showing Jango(her aunt’s puppy) in hisfirst show ever,” Jessysays. “I really liked dress-ing up, and riding mybike with my dogNougat.”

Children’s Pet Parade fun for all

www.nky.com

Jessy Zimmer, of Edgewood, shows her aunt’s dog Jango.