LAWRENCE COUNTY Officials unveil schedule for fair in mid-August

The fair is expected to attract 80,000 to 100,000 people.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Looking for one spot to ride a mechanical bull, show off your classic car and check out some prime livestock?
Organizers of the Lawrence County Fair say all of those things and more will be part of this year's annual event from Aug. 16 to Aug. 21.
"We really tried to make things different and add different attractions this year," said Laura Daugherty, fair spokeswoman.
Fair officials unveiled the 2004 schedule Wednesday at the fairgrounds located on Pa. Route 108, about five miles east of New Castle.
The county fair is celebrating its 51st year in 2004, and organizers say they have tried to streamline it to make it more appealing to everyone.
Country musician Blake Shelton, who had the hit song "Austin," is the show headliner and will appear Friday night, Aug. 20. Daugherty said the headliner used to appear Wednesdays, but they changed it this year to attract more people.
She said they also added a motorcycle night Tuesday, Aug. 17, which will include a stunt show.
And fair favorites Bull Ride Mania, the tractor pull and the demolition derby are still on the schedule.
Daugherty said the fair attracts anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 people depending on the weather.
Furry fairgoers
The fair also is known for attracting a large amount of livestock.
Phil Dean, fair board member, said they had just under 1,100 horses, cows, pigs, rabbits and other livestock last year. Exhibitors come from as far as Clarion and Meadville, he said. He said it is the second-largest livestock exhibit in the state after the Bloomsburg Fair.
"This is one of the only fairs that you will see decorations over any animal [stable] that is here," Dean said.
Daugherty and Dean say planning for the yearly event goes on all year, and fair officials are constantly making upgrades to the 108-acre grounds. Dean said most of this year's work was underground, upgrading drains and other things.
He noted that they do plan to build a new 40-stall horse barn this fall. Previously, horses have been exhibited under a tent.
cioffi@vindy.com