Stoneboro Fair in Full Swing

| September 2, 2017

STONEBORO, Pa. (EYT) — The Great Stoneboro Fair is off and running and continues through Labor Day.

The fair has a long and rich history, dating back well more than a century as it celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

According to its website, the “Mercer County Agricultural and Manufacturing Society of Stoneboro” organized its fair in 1868. For eight years it was situated on a lot between the heavily traveled train tracks and the town’s scenic lake.

The founding officers were: J. P. Kerr, President, Robert J. McClure, V. Pres., Samuel Hines, Secretary and H. B. Blood, Treasurer.

Due to its popularity, the fair’s founders realized the need to expand. In 1876, the fair board purchased 32 lush rolling acres two miles away, filled with shade trees and overlooking the town.

It served as home to the newly named “Mercer County Agricultural Society”, but more commonly known as “The Great Stoneboro Fair” that is “Always on Labor Day”.

Soon after the relocation, a half-mile racetrack was constructed and is still one of the finest in the state. The racetrack is a multi-purpose dirt track that is used for harness racing, demolition derbies, truck and tractor pulls, and rodeos. Its unique construction includes two tunnels below it at opposite sides for pedestrians and vehicles to enter the exhibit and stage area in the center field.

The track is home to outstanding harness racing that has attracted attendees to the fair for well over a century.

The fair was very fortunate in receiving the U.S. Trotting Association’s Blue Ribbon Fair Award for the best harness racing program in 2002.

This honor has been given to only three fairs a year in the whole United States since the award started six years ago. Many horses and talented drivers have raced on this track.

The track record for trotting was set in 1986 by the horse Laser Almahurst in 2min. 2 sec. with a local driver H. Brocklehurst. The pacer record was set in 2002 by the horse J.T. Arturo in 1 min. 57.2 sec. with the driver R. Hammer. Several horse owners stable and train their horses at the fairground year round.

Though racing could be viewed from many beautiful locations throughout the grounds, the most advantageous was from the large wooden grandstand erected in the late 1870s.

The fair lost this landmark in 1950 when a tornado completely destroyed it in a matter of minutes. It would be over 24 years before a new grandstand was erected.

The judges stand, stage and dressing rooms are across the track from the grandstand.

Along with the original grandstand, several other buildings were erected before the 1900s and have weathered the course of time. The Fine Arts Hall with vaulted ceilings and spacious display booths on the inside features amateur arts and crafts for competition.

The Hall is just as popular outside with a wrap-around porch offering seating that is a welcome respite for fairgoers who can rest and enjoy the sights, sounds, and aroma of the fair. Next to the Hall is the two-story administrative office where the business of the fair has been conducted for over 100 years.

In response to the rising popularity of the fair, many permanent structures were erected.

Today there are 2 horse barns, 2 cow barns and a milking parlor, 4 racehorse stables, the Mohney show arena, the Ibbs agricultural building, a rabbit building, a wildlife educational building, a steel building for area merchants, numerous lavatories and the concrete and steel grandstand that can accommodate about 2000 people.

Under the grandstand, the ample room houses the Stoneboro Lions Club’s concession stand, displays from local granges and merchants, as well as information booths for political candidates.

The Fair is located at 2381 Mercer Rd, Stoneboro, Pa. 16153.

SCHEDULE

Saturday, September 2, 2017

10:00 am JUDGING: Junior Polled Hereford Show For Western PA, Open Beef, Sheep, Swine, and Goat Show (Mohney Arena)

11:00 am ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULL (centerfield)

12:00 noon–5:00 pm RIDES IN OPERATION (Midway) ** INDIVIDUALS MUST MEET MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE ABLE TO RIDE MECHANICAL RIDES – NO EXCEPTIONS**

12:00 Noon Roll’n B Pony Rides – Centerfield – * Pony rides will be offered  from 12:00 noon till 9:00 pm – Please keep in mind that during this time ponies will be taking two much needed one-hour breaks – those times will be determined depending upon coinciding entertainment – please be patient during these times as this is essential for the safety, comfort, and health of the ponies    Sponsored by Bedford Grange Mutual Insurance

 12:00 Noon All American Lumberjack Show (Centerfield)

1:00 pm The Marvelous Mutts (Centerfield)

3:30 pm The Marvelous Mutts (Centerfield)

4:30 pm All American Lumberjack Camp (Centerfield)

5:00 pm JUDGING: Draft Horse & Haflinger Horse Show Followed By The Hitch & Obstacle Classes – Alex Sharp Horse Ring

5:45 pm – 11:00 pm RIDES IN OPERATION (Midway) ** INDIVIDUALS MUST MEET MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE ABLE TO RIDE MECHANICAL RIDES – NO EXCEPTIONS**

6:00 pm All American Lumberjack Show (Centerfield)

6:00 pm Bad Habit Promotions Demolition Derby

Sponsored by CHEVY ALL STARS AND BEN BISSETT CHEVROLET

6:30 pm The Marvelous Mutts (Centerfield)

10:00 pm Fireworks, Kellner’s Fireworks, Inc.

Sponsored in part by Wilson Electric and The Great Stoneboro Fair

Sunday, September 3, 2017

9:00 am LIGHT HORSE HALTER CLASSES FOLLOWED BY THE GREAT STONEBORO FAIR LIGHT HORSE AND PONY SHOW (Alex Sharp Horse Ring)

11:00 am FAIR CHURCH SERVICE (Mohney Arena) Leader: Glenn Walker and SLIM Brothers

12:00 noon–5:00 pm RIDES IN OPERATION (Midway) ** INDIVIDUALS MUST MEET MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE ABLE TO RIDE MECHANICAL RIDES – NO EXCEPTIONS**

12:00 Noon Roll’n B Pony Rides – Centerfield – * Pony rides will be offered from 12:00 noon till 9:00 pm – Please keep in mind that during this time ponies will be taking two much needed one-hour breaks – those times will be determined depending upon coinciding entertainment – please be patient during these times as this is essential for the safety, comfort, and health of the ponies. Sponsored By Bedford Grange Mutual Insurance

12:30 pm All American Lumberjack Show (Centerfield)

1:00 pm  The Marvelous Mutts (Centerfield)

1:30 pm GRAND CAVALCADE PARADE (Free Grandstand)       

2:00 pm DAIRY PROMOTION ACTIVITY (Mohney Arena) Free Ice Cream Sundae Sponsored By Mercer County Dairy Promotion Committee

2:00 – 4:00 pm Chuck Thorpe and Friends (Fine Arts Building)

3:00 pm All American Lumberjack Camp (Centerfield)

3:30 pm The Marvelous Mutts (Centerfield)

4:30 pm All American Lumberjack Show (Centerfield)

5:00 pm Light Horse Fun Show (Alex Sharp Hors Ring)

5:45 pm – 11:00 pm RIDES IN OPERATION (Midway) ** INDIVIDUALS MUST MEET MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE ABLE TO RIDE MECHANICAL RIDES – NO EXCEPTIONS**

5:00 pm Bad Habit Promotions Demolition Derby- Sponsored by Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment, The Great Stoneboro Fair, and Sandy Lake Auto Parts

5:30 pm The Marvelous Mutts (Centerfield)

6:00 pm All American Lumberjack Show (Centerfield)

6:30 pm DJ Dance / Karaoke – Dream Catchers (Mohney Arena)

10:00 pm Fireworks, Kellner’s Fireworks, Inc.

Sponsored in part by Wilson Electric and The Great Stoneboro Fair

Monday, September 4, 2017

9:00 am Equine Open Fun Show

10:00 am HARNESS RACING

11:00 am All American Lumberjack Show (Center Field)

11:00 am – 5:00 pm RIDES IN OPERATION (Midway) ** INDIVIDUALS MUST MEET MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE ABLE TO RIDE MECHANICAL RIDES – NO EXCEPTIONS**

12:00 Noon Roll’n B Pony Rides – Centerfield – * Pony rides will be offered from 12:00 noon till 7:00 pm – Please keep in mind that during this time ponies will be taking two much needed one-hour breaks – those times will be determined depending upon coinciding entertainment – please be patient during these times as this is essential for the safety, comfort, and health of the ponies – Sponsored By Bedford Grange Mutual Insurance

1:00 pm The Marvelous Mutts (Centerfield)

2:30 pm All American Lumberjack Camp (Centerfield)

3:00 pm KID’S MINI-TRACTOR PULL (Center Field) Sponsored by Sandy Lake Implement

3:00 pm The Marvelous Mutts (Centerfield)

5:00 pm All American Lumberjack Show (Centerfield)

5:30 pm The Marvelous Mutts (Centerfield)

5:45 pm – 9:00 pm RIDES IN OPERATION (Midway) ** INDIVIDUALS MUST MEET MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE ABLE TO RIDE MECHANICAL RIDES – NO EXCEPTIONS**

6:00 pm Dave Martin’s “Bull Ride Mania” Sponsored by Mercer County State Bank and  The Great Stoneboro Fair


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