Canfield Fair Web site gets update

Facebook and e-newsletters are two ways the new Canfield Fair Web site keeps folks connected all year.

CANFIELD — Tradition was the inspiration behind the design of the new Canfield Fair Web site.

Fair manager Bev Fisher said the board decided earlier this year that it was time for an update and brought in Farris Marketing Agency, based in Boardman, to present a plan for the site’s face-lift.

“The board wanted a more interactive Web site where people could send in art and pictures,” she said. “Farris gave initial ideas, and the board added things they’d like to see.”

Chuck Rudge, Farris’ senior account manager, said much research went into putting together the Web site. He said a survey was done, asking fairgoers what they’d most like to see to bring the site up to date.

“What we learned was over the years most people have come because of family and tradition. That’s kind of how we came up with the ideas and themes for the site,” he said. “One of the other things we found is that people love videos.”

Rudge said a section called Canfield Fair TV was incorporated into the main page. The videos feature everything from a Hank Williams Jr. music video to 1946 Canfield Fair daredevils.

“Those videos are something that will be updated throughout the fair,” he said. “It’s going to be a huge section.”

Fisher said in addition to the posted videos, fair fans can send in their own photos and fair stories that are posted in special sections on the site. She said the opportunity for fairgoers to share their memories is one of her favorite parts of the site.

“We like the idea that they can share their favorite moments and pictures,” Fisher said. “That’s what the fair is supposed to be all about.”

Another interactive feature that Rudge said shows how far the Canfield Fair really stretches are the addition of the social networking sites Facebook and Flickr.

“As someone who’s lived in this area and gone to the fair, it’s amazing to see the scope of the fair,” he said. “To see people from all over the country posting information really goes to show what this fair brings to the Mahoning Valley.”

Rudge said the site went live about four weeks ago and has been averaging 1,000 hits per day, and the Facebook page has more than 6,000 fans.

“I’d say it’s going to have a direct impact,” he said “But if nothing else, it keeps people interested and informed, and it helps them connect with friends.”

Fisher said another new feature of the Web site is an e-newsletter. She said the decision was made to post less billboards to allocate more money for the newsletter.

Rudge said so far the newsletter has been successful.

“People are, these days, eager to get information online,” he said. “The response about an e-letter was tremendous, and people were saying, ‘I want information throughout the year about the fair.’”

The Web site can be found at www.canfieldfair.com. The fair begins Wednesday and runs through Sept. 7.

efranco@vindy.com

The Canfield Fair

Schedule of Events

Gates open at 8 a.m.

Guided senior citizen shuttles available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 2

WKBN TV27-FOX Youngstown Day At The Fair.

Grandstand attractions:

High school cheerleading demonstrations:

k11 a.m.: West Branch, Poland, Chaney and Austintown.

k11:30 a.m.: Struthers, Canfield, Jackson-Milton and Western Reserve.

kNoon: Springfield, South Range, Lowellville and Sebring.

k12:30 p.m.: Campbell, Boardman and East.

Free daily happenings:

k5 a.m. and 5 p.m.: Milking parlor, South Cattle Complex.

k9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Spinning demo, Sheep Barn.

k9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Antique farm machinery display, Southeast Corner.

kNoon to 6 p.m.: American Red Cross Bloodmobile, Medical Building.

k1 to 4 p.m.: Western Reserve Wood Carvers, Fine Arts Building.

k2 and 7 p.m.: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Monday; 2, 4:40 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Robinson Family Singers, Gate Eight.

k6:30 p.m.: Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing contest, Arts & Crafts Building.

kAll day: Farm animals at Old MacDonald’s Barn; Holborn Herb Gardens in Western Reserve Village

Thursday, Sept. 3

21 WFMJ/WBCB Day At The Fair.

Grandstand attractions:

High school band concert:

k11 a.m.: Canfield.

k11:15 a.m.: West Branch.

k11:30 a.m. Austintown.

k11:45 a.m.: South Range.

kNoon: Jackson-Milton.

k12:15 p.m.: Sebring.

k12:30 p.m.: Lowellville.

k12:45 p.m.: Struthers.

k1 p.m.: Springfield.

k1:15 p.m.: Western Reserve.

k1:30 p.m.: Campbell.

Free daily happenings:

k10 a.m.: Ribbon-cutting ceremony.

k2 p.m.: 4-H King and Queen crowning; Junior Fair Youth Day Program on the concourse.

k3 p.m.: Bike Night on the concourse.

k5:30 p.m.: Market poultry auction, Coliseum Eight.

k7 p.m.: Jr. Fair Market Lamb & Swine auction, Coliseum Eight.

Judging schedule:

k8 a.m.: Market Swine, Coliseum Eight.

k8:30 a.m.: 4-H Dairy showmanship, South Cattle Arena.

k9 a.m.: 4-H Saddle, North Ring; Pygmy/Angora Goats, sheep barn; and Poultry, poultry barn.

k9:30 a.m.: Draft ponies, South Ring.

k11 a.m.: Junior Fair Market Lamb, Coliseum Eight.

k1 p.m.: Ponies, South Ring.

k4 p.m.: Brown Swiss & Ayrshire, South Cattle Arena; and Milking Shorthorn, South Cattle Arena.

k5 p.m.: Draft Horse - youth classes, East Ring.

k6 p.m.: Pony Hitches, South Ring.

Friday, Sept. 4

WKBN TV27 Fox 17/62 Day At The Fair.

Grandstand attractions:

k8 p.m.: World’s Largest Demolition Derby.

Free daily happenings:

k5:30 p.m.: Goat milk fudge auction and rabbit-meat pens, Coliseum Eight.

k7 p.m.: Market beef auction followed by market feeder, Coliseum Eight.

Judging Schedule:

k8 a.m.: Market beef fitting and showmanship, Coliseum Eight; Saddle Horse: 4-H, North Ring.

k8:30 a.m.: Draft horse, East Ring.

k9 a.m.: Sheep, Sheep Barn; Holstein, South Cattle Arena.

k9:30 a.m.: Ponies Registered Welsh, South Ring; Cattle: Market Beef, Coliseum Eight.

k11 a.m.: Junior Fair Feeder Calf Showmanship, Coliseum Eight; Junior Fair market dairy beef, Coliseum Eight; Ponies: Grade 46” and under, South Ring.

k1:30 p.m.: Ponies: Registered Hackney, South Ring.

k5 p.m.: Cattle: Limousin, South Cattle Arena.

k5:30 p.m.: Cattle: Aberdeen Angus, South Cattle Arena.

k6 p.m.: Cattle: Simmental, South Cattle Arena; Pony Hitches, South Ring.

k7 p.m.: Cattle: Hereford, South Cattle Arena; Pocket Pet Costume Class, Barn 10; Sheep Canfield Lead Line, Sheep Barn.

k8 p.m.: Cattle: Maine Anjou, South Cattle Arena.

Saturday, Sept. 5

WYTV New Channel 33 Day At The Fair.

Grandstand attractions:

k8 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Draft pony pig iron derby.

kNoon: Harness racing.

k7 p.m.: Truck and tractor pull plus semi pull. Admission $12 for track seats and 10 for grandstand. Youth ages 7 to 12 is $5.

Judging schedule:

k8 a.m.: 4-H rabbits, Coliseum Eight; 4-H Saddle Horse, North Ring.

k9 a.m.: Cattle: Jersey, Guernsey, South Cattle Arena.

k9:30 a.m.: Horses: Registered Mini, South Ring.

k10 a.m.: Draft horses: Hitch, East Ring.

k11 a.m.: 4-H Fashion Revue, Auditorium.

kNoon: 4-H Llama costume class, Coliseum Eight.

k12:30 p.m.: Sheep shearing demonstration, Sheep Barn.

k1:30 p.m.: Ponies: Haflinger, South Ring.

k3 p.m.: Supreme Champion Dairy, South Cattle Arena.

k4 p.m.: Junior Fair: Beef breeding projects, South Cattle Arena.

k5 p.m.: Cattle: Beef shorthorn, South Cattle Arena; 4-H Pocket Pet decorated cage, Barn No. 10.

k6 p.m.: Pony hitches , South Ring.

k7:30 p.m.: Dog agility demonstration, North Ring.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 6

Y-103 Day At The Fair.

Grandstand attractions:

k8 p.m.: Hank Williams Jr. and George Jones.

Free daily happenings:

k8 a.m.: Catholic worship service, Youngstown Symphony Stage on Concourse.

k9:30 a.m.: Ecumenical worship service, Youngstown Symphony Stage on Concourse.

k11 a.m.: Worship service, International Stage.

k11 a.m.: Praise and worship service, Youngstown Symphony Stage on Concourse.

k1 p.m.: Dress-A-Cow contest, South Cattle Arena.

k1:45 p.m.: 4-H dairy cheese auction, South Cattle Arena.

Judging schedule:

k10 a.m.: Saddle Horse championships, North Ring.

kNoon: Dog demonstration, Coliseum Eight.

k12:30 p.m.: Sheep shearing demonstration, Sheep Barn.

k1 p.m.: Poultry: 4-H showmanship, Coliseum Eight; Ponies: Leadline, costume and hitch classes, South Ring; Junior Fair goat show, Coliseum Eight.

k3 p.m.: Pocket Pet breed, Coliseum Eight.

k3:30 p.m.: Wee Ones: Showmanship, South Cattle Arena.

k4 p.m.: Junior Fair/Farm Bureau “Ag in the Bag,” Pavilion near Junior Fair.

k6 p.m.: Junior Fair rabbit costume class, Coliseum Eight.

Monday, Sept. 7

K105 Day At The Fair.

Grandstand attractions:

k8 a.m. to 11 p.m.: Draft horse pig iron derby.

kNoon: Harness racing.

Free daily happenings:

k9 a.m.: 4-H saddle horse show, north ring.

k9:30 a.m.: Rooster crowing contest, south ring.

Judging schedule:

k9 a.m.: Invitational dairy judging: 4-H, South Cattle Arena.

k10 a.m.: Junior Fair goat costume class, Coliseum Eight; Pocket Pets: 4-H showmanship, Coliseum Eight.

k10:30 a.m.: Junior Fair llama exhibition, Coliseum Eight.

k11 a.m.: Adult dairy showmanship, South Cattle arena.

k1 p.m.: Pony exhibitors show, South Ring; Market livestock Showman of Showmen, Coliseum Eight.

k5 p.m.: Dog demonstrations, Coliseum Eight.

Source: The Canfield Fair