SMETHPORT — The 118th McKean County Fair is well underway, with thousands of exhibits and attractions such as rides, a packed midway brimming with delicious fair food and exciting events still to come.
Tonight will feature the stock car races at 7 o’clock.
On Thursday the junior livestock sale will be at 6:30 p.m. The Empire State Pullers will begin a tractor pull at 7 p.m., followed by a barn dance from 9 to 11 p.m.
On Friday, the Queen’s Coronation will be held at 6 p.m. followed by an Enduro Race at 7 p.m. From 9 to 11 p.m. the Reece Gustafson Band will perform.
On Saturday a demolition derby will begin at 6 p.m. The Ten Pound Hammer Band will then perform from 8 to 11 p.m.
For many families, the McKean County Fair is an annual celebration that goes back generations; an event as regular in the calendar year as a birthday or holiday. Judy Larson’s summers have always ended in a week spent showing cows at the McKean County Fair. The Irons Farm has been bringing cows to the fair for five generations. Larson has been involved as a fair director for many years. When she speaks of her love for the fair, her eyes light up with genuine excitement.
“My mom and dad were both fair directors, so I have been involved in this fair my whole life,” she said. “I still love it and look forward to it every year – it wouldn’t be the summer without the fair.”
She said one of the most important parts about the fair is that it keeps traditions alive and teaches people where their food comes from. Bringing animals to the fair is always a lot of work, but that desire to educate others is one of the reasons Larson comes back each year.
“People need to see what we do as farmers and learn where their food comes from and how much work goes into each step,” Larson said.
Another family who has been coming to the fair for generations is the Fowlers, who own and operate Fowler’s Candies and Concessions. Five generations of Fowlers have come and worked the concession stand at the McKean County Fair.
“Right now, we are training up the fifth generation and getting them to carry on the tradition,” said Jack Fowler.
“That is what is nice about the fair is it gets the kids involved and it brings people together,” said Kathy Fowler.
“At night when we are working the stand, we can watch all the people lined up waiting and they aren’t on their phones – they are actually visiting with each other,” she added.
Between them, Jack and Kathy Fowler can remember a lot of McKean County Fairs.
As a kid of about 5, Jack recalls being allowed to sit up in the old wooden grandstand booth with a clown that had been hired to walk around the fair. The clown was blowing up balloons and gave them to the small boy to help carry.
“Then the next day was Pepsi Family Day and I remember I won a cherry red bicycle because I had picked up the most pop cans,” Jack said.
“But I had a leg up on the competition because I would just wait until everyone went home from the fair each night then I would go around and collect all the cans to turn them in.”
“We have a lot of vendors who keep coming back here year after year,” said Judy Church of the fair board.
“Many of them have quite the following and they will bring in customers who travel because they love their taffy or their hot sausage so much.”
That influx of outsiders helps provide a nice annual boost to the local economy, explained Christie Burkhouse, treasurer for the fair board.
“This is one time of year when we can guarantee people coming in from outside the county to spend money right here,” Burkhouse said.
When looking for vendors, the fair board strives to champion the participation of smaller local businesses.
“Participating in the fair helps vendors by getting new eyes on their products and encouraging relationships with new customers,” Burkhouse said.
“We also have vendors like the Smethport Sports Boosters who support our local sports teams,” Church said. “The fair is one of their major fundraisers that they do throughout the year.”
Sue Wertz agreed. She is one of the many volunteers who will staff the Smethport Sports Boosters’ booth throughout fair week.
“The fair is important because it celebrates the kids and it is a time when we can all come together and support our community,” Wertz said. “The Sports Boosters is a great example because we are staffed by volunteers and all of our proceeds will go back to Smethport sports teams.”
“This is an event that really brings everyone together as a family from young to old,” said Tekla Loncki, Miss Smethport.
“Being closer to the organization and everything this year has been very interesting and we are so thankful because this isn’t something that just comes together overnight,” said Anessa Steel, Miss Otto-Eldred.
“No, it takes an incredible amount of planning and organization,” said Mallory Craig, Miss Bradford, “and we’ve all learned so much about this process.”
