MEYERSDALE ― Lots of new things are coming to the 2024 Somerset County Fair and board president Dave Berkey can't wait for people to come and experience the fair.
"We're celebrating 124 years at the Meyersdale fairgrounds," Berkey said.
He said this year the fair will have a new carnival, Penn Valley Shows, that is "family run and we're very happy with them.
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"We're finishing the Rhoads (Family Pavilion) building. We got new scales in for the truck and tractor pulls. They are permanent so the fair board doesn't have to rent them every year. There's a new parking area, new picnic tables and roads. The exhibitor buildings are completely full. New food vendors have been added on. We have a new security program for the grounds. They follow a lot of fairs around. Everything looks like a shiny penny."
The fair is from Aug. 15-24 at the Somerset County Fairgrounds in Meyersdale. It kicks off Aug. 15 with harness racing in front of the grandstand at 2 p.m. Harness racing will continue at 12 p.m. Friday. The garden tractor pulls is at 7 p.m. The fair will continue with a free gate on Saturday, while the market animals are entered, exhibit hall entries are put together, the antique farm machinery is entered and judging is conducted.
Activities officially kick off at 5 p.m. with the Square Dancing Tractors by Roof Garden Tractor Buddies, market goat judging, power wheels derby and a demo derby.
"New, younger exhibitors are coming for the animals," said Lacey Murray, first vice president. "The numbers are looking good for market animal exhibitors this year."
Sunday is another free gate day, compliments of Somerset Trust Co.
Bake sale benefit, parade marshal
The bake sale auction at 1 p.m. Sunday will benefit Myron Deal and his family. The family farm, passed from generations of Myron's family, began as a dairy farm, but has transitioned into crop and beef production. Deal was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, May 9, 2023. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Deal was diagnosed at age 42. His mother and maternal grandfather were diagnosed with ALS as well.
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The Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department is the Farmers' and Merchants' Parade grand marshal. The fire department is celebrating 125 years this year.
"The firemen continue to contribute to the Meyersdale fair. The volunteer work they do is endless for us," Berkey said.
Meyersdale's fire department began in 1899 as the Alert Co. Shortly before 1920, the American LaFrance Co. sent a gasoline-powered fire truck to Meyersdale, giving it the impetus to get into modern firefighting. The department is composed of more than 80 members, firefighters, associate members, junior firefighters and their families who help with fundraisers. The fire company's biggest fundraiser is the Firemen's Stand at the Somerset County Fairgrounds. Volunteers work hundreds of volunteer hours operating and cooking at the stand, serving burgers, steak subs and fresh-cut fries. The stand is open for several other events throughout the year when the fairgrounds is open for other events.
More events
This year the fair will feature Appalachian Outlaws Garden Tractor pulls, a demo derby, tractor pulls and championship truck pulls. Lucky E Rodeo will feature saddle bronc, bareback, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding.
"It's a complete full-blown rodeo," Berkey said. "All the events they have to offer is the same as what you see in rodeos out west."
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ATV and UTV Drag Racing, presented by Appalachian Outlaws Motorsports & Intimidation Motor, is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 19.
Mountain Mike Ayer chainsaw sculptor will conduct woodcarving demonstrations at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday. An auction of the sculptures, conducted by auctioneer Nolan Bell, will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 23, at the Decker Barn.
Magicians will be walking through the fairgrounds every day, on stilts, tying balloons and face painting. Friday is the senior citizens day with an ice cream social, Berkey said.
For the full schedule of events, check out https://somersetcountyfairpa.com/ .
"Everybody is welcome the prices have stayed the same," Berkey said. "The weather is supposed to be good. Come out and enjoy."
Madolin Edwards has been a journalist at the Daily American for 37 years, covering school boards, borough councils, sports and new stories. She was the Home and Family editor for 20 years, and was the primary editor and reporter for a variety of special projects, features and tabs. Contact the Daily American reporters at news@dailyamerican.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: New and familiar events featured at the 2024 Somerset County Fair, kicking off Aug. 15
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