Participants anticipating awards, music

The annual event is in its 52nd year.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Linda Anderson thinks it was the chocolate cream cheese icing that sent the judges at the Lawrence County Fair over the top this year.
For her efforts, the Mahoning Township woman claimed first place in the cake baking competition.
"I'm so excited," she said. "One year I used zucchini in the cake, and I came in second. This year, I used carrots. And it was a really good cake."
But Anderson, who has served as a 4-H leader for 10 years, hasn't been spending all of her time baking. On Monday morning she was waiting for the results of the showmanship competition in the rabbit category.
"That's what a lot of the fair is about," she said. "Waiting for the competition, waiting for the judging, waiting for the results. But the kids get used to it. And it's really a lot of fun."
The annual fair, in its 52nd year, opened Monday at the county fairgrounds on Pa. Route 108 east of town. The event continues through Saturday.
Admission prices vary depending on the day and the event. Livestock judging is ongoing throughout the week.
Featured activities
There are also daily exhibits of livestock, crops, food, clothing, crafts, farm equipment and old-time machinery. More than 200 food and commercial vendors are participating.
Monday night's activities featured the bull ride mania. There will be a stunt show today, a monster truck pull Wednesday and demolition derby Saturday. Each of these events will begin at 7:30 p.m.
At 6 p.m. Friday, the Steel Country Band with Kylie will perform. Country music star Darryl Worley will take the stage at 8 p.m.
Saturday, farm stock and antique tractor pulls are scheduled for 9 a.m., and a junior livestock sale is to begin at 10 a.m.
Fireworks by Zambelli Internationale at 10:30 p.m. Saturday will wrap up the festivities.