Another "Classic" in the Books!

A hometown "classic", the 2008 Patrick County Agricultural Fair concluded Saturday night at Rotary Field, having been visited by thousands of patrons during the successful 5 night run.

"This certainly weill be among the top fairs we've ever had, maybe the best," said Henry Ayers who is a veteran of 43 of the 56 Patrick County fairs that the Stuart Rotary Club has sponsored since 1952. The fair apparently took in increased revenue despite the economic gloom and high prices that have forced many consumers to be very selective in their spending. "There has definitely been an effect," commented Ayers on the economic impact on the fair. Ayers theorized that many families and fair visitors were forced to cut back a night or two from their usual fair attendance due to the sour economy and tight finances.

Ayers reported that the fair ran very smoothly with few problems. However, one thing that the Stuart Rotary Club will have to rethink, noted Ayers, is the shuttle service that didn't work out as well as fair officials had hoped. Ayers said there the shuttle needs a dedicated route to the fairgrounds from the distant parking areas because it was very difficult to maneuver around the parked vehicles that pushed the parking capacity to its limits on the heaviest nights, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The sponsoring Stuart Rotary Club would welcome your constructive suggestions on ways to improve the fair.

Ayers said the most memorable thing about this year's fair to him was the people. "The crowd that we did have seemed to be having a lot of fun. It was a very congenial crowd," said Ayers. He added that the fair was blessed with good attendance, absolutely beautiful weather, great exhibits and entertainment, successful grandstand events, and many riders on the midway.

From what riders told me, the "Zipper" was one of the more challenging rides on the midway. "It makes you throw up," said young fairgoer Kelsey Rakes, "it's great"! The food was also great. Despite my newly adopted healthy lifestyle that includes trying to eat nutritious foods and exercise daily, like most folks, I endulged during the fair sampling a little of everything that was available from the various vendors and trying to support as many worthy causes in the community as possible through concessions purchases. Among the treats of my fair menu were a Cattlemen's Assocition steak sandwhich, several polish sausages smothered in sauteed onions and spicy mustard served by Providence United Methodist Church, ribbon fries, a cheesburger and fries from the PCHS band boosters, hotdogs all the way from the Boy Scouts, etc., etc. My best meal, as a Stuart Rotarian, was the night fellow Rotarian Jimmy Morrison's wife Barbara served to the workers of the Stuart Rotary Club pinto beans and onions, corn bread, potato salad, cole slaw, homegrown tomatoes, lemonade, and pound cake for dessert. I ate plenty but I'll return to my healthy lifestyle this week! Hopefully!

Well, isn't that what the Patrick County Agricultural Fair is all about....enjoying one's self and wholesome fellowship with others in a "family reunion" type atmosphere? Yes, that is the essence of this more than 56-year-old tradition that is the Patrick County Agricultural Fair. Perhaps, Kelly Owens, one of the young ladies who enjoyed the midway attractions on opening night, summed it up best when, brimming with laughter and pride, she exclaimed in reference to our beloved fair, "it's a classic, it's a classic"!

Congratulations to these fair winners. The Clogging Contest winners were": Madison Stowe ("My Little Radio Buddy", first place, Junior...Glenda Hubbard, first place, Adult...and Billy Woods, first place, Seniors. The Flatfooting Contest winners were" Kenadie Hutchens, first place, Junior...Verna Shepherd, first place, Adult...Billy Woods, first place, Seniors. The top exhibitors were: PCHS Jr. ROTC, first place, Junior Educational...Patrick County Alzheimer's Association, first place, Adult Educational. In the Commercial division...Blue Ribbon winners were: the JEB Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust, Hospice of Patrick County, and PAWS. Red Ribbon commercial exhibit winners were: the Patrick County Historical Society and Clark Gas & Oil. White Ribbon commercial booth winners Merritt Farm and Garden Supply and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.

On behalf of the Stuart Rotary Club, I would like to thank the thousands of participants and patrons who made the 2008 edition of the Patrick County Agricultural Fair one of the best ever, a true "classic"!

Until next time, I leave you with all my love and a prayer that God will bless you with a great day!

:O)
Richard~