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Wet rides, cow kisses and tradition
- PHOTOGALLERY:
The 2008 Canfield Fair - So far, fair assistance
faring well - 3 religious services
available to fairgoers - Bidding for quality and
the 4-H - Dragons, turtles, degus!
Oh my! - Royal court
- A trip to the
fair doesn't come cheap,
fairgoers say - VIDEO:
Jane Renkenberger - VIDEO:
Fair Mom - VIDEO:
Leroy's Sausage - 50 years at fair
bring honors for 2 - Wet rides, cow
kisses and tradition - Produce makes for
fair display - 2008 Outstanding Youth
Mahoning County
Junior Fair - Canfield Fair continues
long tradition - Admission and Ride
Prices - Health officials prepare
for fair
By KATIE SEMINARA
Wet rides, cow kisses and tradition
The Canfield Fair has entertainment for all ages.
CANFIELD — The 162nd Canfield Fair kicked off under a dreary sky, but there were no low spirits at the fairgrounds Wednesday.
“I think it’s fun riding in the rain,” said Macy Emery, 12, as her friend, Marissa Phillips, 12, giggled back: “Except your butt gets wet.”
The hooded girls had been on four or five rides in the rain, and the wet conditions weren’t slowing down their first day of fair fun.
Macy, Marissa and Sarah Sittig, 12, all attend Canfield Village Middle School and said the fair is their last bit of summer excitement before cracking open their school books.
Debbie Allison of Canfield wasn’t riding the “Catch ‘n Air” ride with her sons and wasn’t holding an umbrella, but her rain jacket kept her dry while watching the spinning cars fly by.
“They will ride and ride and ride,” said Allison, who added she and her sons David, 14, and Dino, 12, would be returning for more fair action during the week.
Dino said he goes for the rides and David said he likes the trains on display.
No matter the reason for attending, Allison said, Canfield children make the fairgrounds their hangout.
Poland kids were making the fairgrounds their place as well, as Gia and Landon Packner spent time with some Guernseys at the cow barns.
“I petted a cow,” said Gia, 6, with excitement as she turned to point the cow out to her parents.
Crystal and Donnie Packner brought their kids out for the first day simply because Donnie had the day off.
“This is not his first fair, but it’s his first to interact with the animals,” said Crystal of Landon, who is 2.
The Packners watched as their children blew kisses at a brown and white calf and said the first day of the fair wouldn’t be their last, either.
Photo
Canfield Fair August 27, 2008
While youngsters were exploring animal barns and relishing in the thrills of rides, John Black, 21, of Sebring was cooking up sausage sandwiches at LeRoy’s Italian Sausage stand.
Black is celebrating the 40th year of the family business started by his grandfather.
“My grandfather passed away in 1996 and my dad passed away this year,” said Black, who honors the men he admired most by continuing their tradition of sausage sandwiches at the Canfield Fair.
Gene Stich of Freedom, Pa., is thankful LeRoy’s is still in business because she has been enjoying their food for the past five years.
“This is what we look for,” said Stich, whose neighbors pointed them in the direction of LeRoy’s.
The booth is hard to miss, because Black and his fellow employees wear intriguing hats and dance to songs like “The Hokey Pokey” and “The Chicken Dance.”
“We are the kings of funny hats,” said Black, referring to his pink pig hat that has flapping wings.
Keeping his family’s tradition alive and interaction with the people are the reasons Black said he’ll never stop serving sandwiches at the fair.
SEE ALSO:162nd canfield fair Schedule, 50 years at the fair bring honors for 2 and It’s a family affair in arts and crafts.