Oldtime Fair held this weekend

NEW MANCHESTER - A dozen tractors and one or two pickup trucks formed the tractor parade as it entered Tomlinson Run State Park Friday, home of the Hancock County Oldtime Fair.

The fair kicked off with the parade on Friday at 5 p.m., and admission was free for the evening, as not all booths were ready to open to the public.

As promised, Virgil Jones ferried the 2008 fair royalty into the park, and then continued to give horse-drawn wagon rides to fairgoers throughout the evening.

Jones will provide horse-drawn wagon rides around the park all weekend for a small price. All the proceeds from the wagon rides will benefit the Tomlinson Run State Park Foundation.

Following the tractor parade, the 2009 Fair Royalty were named at the hospitality tent.

Nate Bennett and Liz Almeida were named fair prince and princess, and Nita Resler was named fair queen.

Perhaps the biggest draw of the fair, Barnyard Olympics, was set to begin Saturday at noon with the skillet toss and rolling pin throw.

The only barnyard olympic event that is not open to all ages is the pedal tractor pull, which is for children only.

A highly-anticipated new event at this year's fair is the kiss-a-donkey contest, in which three county notables are competing.

The competitor to have the most money collected in cans, which are at the fair, will kiss the donkey, provided by Cash and Carry Feed Store owner Norm Herron.

County Commissioner Mike Swartzmiller, Chester Police Chief Ken Thorn, and New Cumberland Police Chief Lester Skinner are this year's contenders for the kiss

Some special new guests at the fair, alpacas, will be available for visitors to see throughout the weekend.

The alpacas are from Ranch Chico, owned by Raymond and Luanne Fagundo of Tridelphia, W.Va.

Admission to the fair is $1 per person over the age of 5 years old. Food, crafts, and some games will be an additional cost.

The fair will continue today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a schedule of events, visit www.hancockcountyoldtimefair.org.

(Matsick can be contacted at jmatsick@reviewonline.com)