Cameron County Fair Begins Monday

They're in love! It's fair time in Cameron County Fair. The annual event begins Monday at the fairgrounds on route 46 outside of Emporium. The farm animals are always a big draw. Last year, we caught this bovine-swine smooch.

Earlier this summer, Pa. Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff honored all of those people involved in operating the Cameron County Fair over the years.

It was named among 36 "Century Fairs" in the state.

The Cameron County Fair, one of the last fairs in the state that doesn't charge for parking or admission to the fairgrounds, will officially open at 5 p.m on Monday, Aug. 7.

This year's fair will feature numerous bands and contests throughout the week. However, amusement park rides won't be apart of this year's fair.

That's because the association would be paying more than they would be making by putting rides at the fairgrounds, fair board president Pat Kempher.

Cost of insurance to hold the fair has also skyrocketed. But Kempher remains undaunted in bringing entertainment to visitors.

For entertainment, the association pays $7,500. Emporium Foundation donates a portion of that money each year.

"We are really in our growing phases again," Kempher pointed out.

The first fair took place in 1901 at the Keystone Park, the current location of GKN Sinter Metals. The Cameron County Agricultural Association sponsored the event.

Both World War I and a country-wide illness threatened the event, and it ceased operations in 1917.

More than three decades later a second fair was attempted, this held at the former Pine Street Field in Emporium, now the location of Motor Coils Corp.

The fair found a new home in 1970, when Henry Zimmer offered a section of land in lower Rich Valley.

The current location of the fair, on Route 46, about 1-mile from Emporium, has a 4-H exhibition building and Beaver Hall, another exhibition hall. Beside the 4-H building is animal stalls. Restrooms are located outside and in the exhibition hall. The schedule of the fair follows:

Monday

 Ye Olde Goodies Auction at the stage at 6:30 p.m.

 Essence of Movement Dance will perform to various songs on the stage at 7:30 p.m.

 The band Legacy will take center stage at 8 p.m.Tuesday

 Teams, consisting of five or more people, will compete in the Battle of the Barrel at 5 p.m. There will be three finalists.

 Visitors will get to samples foods at the Taste of Relay table, which will be set up at 5:30 p.m.

 Children can participate in several games being planned, starting at 6 p.m.

 Cameron County's own Chris Haas will be on stage to entertain fair-goers, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

 Anyone can participate in the Fair's Lip Sync contest at the stage at 7:30 p.m.

 Magician Denny Hubler will be showing children tricks, starting at 8 p.m.

 A karaoke contest will be held at the stage, starting at 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday  Pets can be shown off in a parade, held by 4-H club members, at 5:45 p.m.

 A Mime to Amaze will perform comedy and magic, at 6 p.m.

 Cow patty bingo will begin at 6:30 p.m.

 Miss Cameron County 2006 will be crowned by last year's queen Anne Wolfel.

Junior Miss Cameron County, as well as Cameron County Princess and Prince will

be chosen, starting at 7 p.m.

 A cheerleading exhibition will start at 7:45 p.m.

 A band Pot Belly express will perform at the stage, starting at 8 p.m.

Thursday

 A hot dog eating contest will start at 5:30 p.m.

 A bubble gun blowing contest will begin at 6 p.m.

 A nail-driving contest will be held at 6:30 p.m.

 Mime to Amaze will make another appearance at 6 p.m.

 A milk chugging contest will take place at 7 p.m.

 A band Glen Lucas Family Band will perform on stage at 8 p.m.

Friday

 A pie eating contest will be held at 6 p.m.

 The beautifulest baby contest winner will be announced at 6:30 p.m.

 Smokey Bear will visit the fairgrounds at 6:30 p.m.

 A root beer chugging contest will start at 7 p.m.

 A seed spitting contest will begin at 7:30 p.m.

 The band Old Skool will perform on stage at 8 p.m.Saturday

 The second annual Harvey Gribble Memorial Horseshoe Tournament will take place at 8:30 a.m.