Dawson Grange Fair opens with new activities
DAWSON 鈥� Opening night of the Dawson Grange Fair on Monday mixed some old traditions with new additions.
The fair board decided to bring back gospel night after a long absence with the Steel City Quartet, who drew a crowd and has already been scheduled for next year鈥檚 fair.
Other new additions this year are more games and some rides for kids, including a Ferris wheel, a diaper derby and mother/daughter look-alike contest.
鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to keep it fresh and updated,鈥� fair volunteer Carol Gardner said.
One thing that hasn鈥檛 changed, though, is the annual queen competition. The 2011 fair queen was crowned by the 2010-2011 queen, Danielle Stimmel.
鈥淚 would like to wish the new fair queen as much fun as I had,鈥� Stimmel said in her farewell speech.
This year鈥檚 contestants were Tristen Stimmel, 18, and McKenzie Miller, 16, who have both been attending the fair since they were children and were required to give a speech on what the fair means to them.
鈥淢y fair means the world to me,鈥� Miller said in her speech. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like one last breath of summer air. It鈥檚 a collage of memories.鈥�
Miller won, but by a mere four points.
鈥淚t feels really good,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淚 dreamed about it ever since I was little.鈥�
Out of five contestants, 8-year-old Madison Willson was the winner and was crowned by Miller.
However, fair organizers need a little more help than that. They are asking for help with the concession stand and funnel cakes, especially for Friday night.
鈥淲e desperately need help,鈥� Gardner said.
The Dawson Grange Fair will continue through Saturday. The rest of the week鈥檚 schedule is as follows.
Today 鈥� 7 p.m., dead weight tractor pull; 7:30 p.m., apple pie contest and musical performance by Chris Higbee.
Thursday 鈥� 6 p.m., horseshoe pitching contest; 7 p.m., small tractor pull in the arena with a Mr. Legs contest and Mother/Daughter Look Alike contest on stage, 7:30 p.m., King Wolfe karaoke.
Friday 鈥� 6 p.m., horseshoe pitching contest; 7 p.m., truck pulling contest in the arena and Hershey Chocolate contest; 7:30 p.m., musical performance by High Ryder Band.
Saturday 鈥� 10 a.m., horseshoe pitching contest; 11 a.m., ATV mud bog and pet contest; 7:30 p.m., western-style tractor pull in the arena and 鈥淪hadow of the King 鈥� An Evening with Elvis鈥� on the stage.
The Dawson Grange 419 fairgrounds are located at the intersection of Banning and Linden Hall roads. Parking, admission and shows are free.