The opening of the 160th Harford Fair will be here before you know it and as always, the fair provides Family Fun for Everyone August 21-26th. Parking is always free and admission is always free for 11 and under.  Fairgoers can use the coupon in the fair brochure for half price admission for 12 and over on Thursday, Family Fun Day only.  The main arena show for that night will be Johnny Rockett’s Cycle Circus Live beginning at 7:30 and is free for everyone.   Houghton Enterprises offers great, breath-taking midway rides.

But there are five other days to the fair which have lots to offer as well.  One of the favorite spots is the Shade Pavilion which is located in the center of the fairgrounds. The beautifully covered area for seating provides free entertainment every day throughout fair week.  Many of the performers are local groups which the fair provides free to fairgoers offering a wide variety of musical entertainment.  Some of these include Stan Kalafut & The Brass Majors, the Old Time Fiddlers, the Mountain View Chimettes, Windwood Hill Dance Academy and, of course, the Lenoxville Band which will perform both roaming and pavilion performances..

Kaitlyn Carolina Myers

Other returning acts include The Jason Wicks Band, amRadio and Magic and Illusionist Tom Yurasits.   Some new entertainment to the fair this year includes Windfall, Short Change Band, Life Quest Community Church, The Blue Notes and Trailer Grass Orchestra.  A young singer and song writer with a powerful voice is Kaitlyn Carolina Myers who wowed the audience at the State Fair Convention in Hershey.  The Poets will make music for Saturday evening as the fair winds down for another year.

Harford Fair offers other free entertainment daily and throughout the week, some of which includes crafting demonstrators, Master Gardeners of Susquehanna County, and Chainsaw Carving by Kevin Treat.  Two free shows will provide family entertainment three times each day at both ends of the fairgrounds.  Hogway Speedway with racing pigs, goats and ducks will perform in the south end and Rhinestone Roper will perform with his talented horse in the north arena. 

On Monday, it is your opportunity to bid on the first and second place prize-winning baked goods. All proceeds from the auction go to the Harford Fair Scholarship Fund.  In the past seven years, a total of $44,500 has been awarded to forty-nine recipients.  The committee is presently accepting applications for this year’s scholarships.

Check out the fair’s website www.harfordfair.com for specific days and times of performances and other attractions too numerous to mention.  Schedules are also available in the premium book and brochures which are available at the secretary’s office on the fairgrounds or at many locations in the area.  Come to the fair to enjoy “Country Scenes and Blue Ribbon Dreams.”

Susquehanna County was represented at the recent election of new Trustees to the Penn State University College of Agriculture Board. Representing Susquehanna Counties were the 3 voting organizations: Susquehanna County Farm Bureau (SCFB), Pomona Grange (PG) and the Susquehanna County Forest Land Owners Association (SCFLOA). Each county group could vote for 2 of the 3 candidates for the Board. Our local Directorial representatives making the trip to State College were: Dave DeLeon and Tom Helmacy (SCFB), Wayne Oakley (PG) and Bill Bayne and Bob Wagner (SCFLOA).

The 160+ delegates, from each county across the State heard short informative speeches from PSU College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Richard Roush and PSU President Eric Barron. College Dean Richard Roush explained “while I have only been in this position for 2½ years there have been many challenges and opportunities. I feel that there is broad support for the PSU College of Agriculture. There was an increase in our budget from the Pennsylvania state legislature last year. The College of Agriculture graduates 3000+ students a year into a healthy job environment. 80% of the students have internships and 50% have 2 student internships. The average starting salary for the students entering the job market is $51,000 per year. The College of Agriculture is very important for the future job market.” PSU President Eric Barron told the group, “We are redefining the Cooperative Extension Service, so much so that we are the leading model across the United States. There will be major changes in the future.”

The Susquehanna delegates and delegates from across the state helped elect new PSU College of Agriculture Trustees Keith Masser and Lynn Dietrich.

U. S. Senator Robert P. Casey recently toured Barnes-Kasson County Hospital and spoke about the importance of Medicaid.  Also discussed was how the Senate GOP Health Bill would effect rural hospitals.  Pictured (L-R) are: New Milford Councilman Rick Ainey, County Commissioner MaryAnn Warren, Senator Casey, Hospital Administrator Sara Armetta, and Hospital Attorney Charles J Aliano.