Alexandria Fair guide

Alexandria Fair and Horse Show

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Parade Lonestar concert Gardening 4-H Quad racing Games Horse Show Pageants Recipes Livestock Show

CONTACT The Alexandria Fair and Horse Show program is published by the Specialty Publications Department of The Community Recorder.

Questions and comments can be sent to Editor Melissa Stewart c/o The Community Recorder/394 Wards Corner/Loveland, OH 45140 or e-mail mjstewart@nky.com.

Or call 513-248-7121.

For advertising information, please call 578-5501.

Alexandria Fair continues to grow

By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor The 2011 Alexandria Fair will begin this year on Wednesday, Aug. 31, with the traditional parade which commences at Campbell County Middle school and progresses to the fairgrounds, where admission to the fair Wednesday evening is free.

“Our parade starts at 6:45 p.m., and our Grand Marshall this year is Wanda Painter, a longtime member of the fair board,” said Doug Carmack, President of the Fair Board. “I think every year the fair is bigger and better.”

It is definitely bigger and better than the first fair, held in 1856, when a group of farmers gathered together and bought 10 acres of land so they could display the fruits of their labor.

Wanda Painter “It was an agrarian society, Grand Marshall and the farmers wanted to show off everything from home made wine to vegetables to livestock,” said Jim Davis, another longtime member of the fair, who possesses a fair bill from the first fair held on Oct. 14, 15, and 16. “They didn’t have the fair during the Civil War, but resumed shortly thereafter. We still hold the fair at the same place, but now we have 30 acres.”

Admission to the fair after Wednesday is $8, for ages 3 and up, and that includes all rides, courtesy of Murray Brothers. People can visit the craft tent, or the Floral hall, which will display any fruits and vegetables, quilts, photography, and art that are submitted to the fair for judging. On Thursday the gates open at 3:30 p.m., and on the program for that night is ATV racing, the Miss Teen Alexandria Fair, and the Miss Alexandria Fair, at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively.

“We have a website that people can visit to determine what time everything is, and that is alexandriafairandhorseshow.com,” said Carmack. “All of the pageants have a time for registration on Aug. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m., and Aug. 25 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the

Rider Roland Shelburne controls his miniature horse as he competes in the 35 class miniature horse competition.

“The fair is all good fun.

We want everyone to come and have a good time.”

Colton Hancock, California, tosses a chicken across the finish line during the “Chicken Rodeo” at the Alexandria Fair and Horse Show.

Dining Hall at the fairgrounds. The princess, Pre-Teen, and Little Mr. and Miss contests will be Sunday, Sept.

4, as will the Hat Contest.”

Last year the attendance at the fair was 15,000 to 16,000 people, and they expect that much again this year, if not more. Friday promises open mike karaoke at 7 p.m., and the cattle show at 6 p.m. Saturday features a livestock sale as well as horse shows in the afternoon and the evening. On Monday people can attend the very popular greased pig contest and the chicken rodeo.

Wanda Painter is 85 years young, loves the fair, and has been on the fair board for 40 years.

“I moved to Alexandria after high school, and I’ve been on my farm, Campbell Vineyards, ever since 1945,” Painter said. “We have raised and shown apples and grapes at the fair. I used to be in charge of the Floral Hall, and it is amazing what people can produce that they proudly show at the fair.”

Painter will lead the parade on Wednesday night that kicks off the Labor Day weekend fair.

“One year we dressed up for the 150th anniversary in old fashioned clothes, and rode in a horse drawn carriage, but as Grand Marshall I will be in a convertible,” she said. “The fair is all good fun. We want everyone to come and have a good time.”

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One of the floats at the Alexandria Fair and Horse Show.

The community loves a parade

By Melissa Stewart Editor Some would say the annual Alexandria Fair and Horse Show Parade is a magical event. To celebrate that, this year’s parade theme is “End of Summer Magic.”

“The fair marks the end of summer, so, we’re going to try to make it magical this year,” said Parade Chair Valerie Sanzenbacker.

So what about the parade sparks the thought of magical?

“I feel as though the parade gets the whole community involved in the fair and show their support,” explained Theme: End of Sanzenbacker. “It’s a good Summer Magic time and a great kick-off to the Date: Wednesday, fair.”

Last year’s parade included Aug. 31 Time: 6:45 p.m. 90 participants and the streets Location: Starts were lined with watchers from Campbell County Campbell County Middle Middle School and School to the Alexandria ends at Alexandria Fairgrounds.

Longtime parade-goer Fairgrounds Bobbie Fugate, of Alexandria, said the parade is “awesome.”

“I’ve gone to the parade and the fair ever since we moved here. We’d take the kids to the fair and parade,” she said. “Over the years you really get aquatinted with a lot of people and they turn out to be your friends. For me, the fact that you can go visit with these friends is the best part of the parade and fair.”

Sanzenbacker said she enjoys how the businesses and organizations marching in the parade come up with floats that connect with the theme.

“They get very creative with the floats,” she said.

“That’s the most exciting part.”

Susan Murrell, owner of Susan’s Salon & Spa, in Alexandria, has been a parade participant since 1987.

“I love it,” she said. “I love the fair, the parade – the sense of community they bring. It’s really exciting, there’s so much energy in the town that night.”

She’s not sure exactly what their float is going to be this year, but promises that it, the whole parade, and the entire weekend “will be something magical.”

Details of the parade

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Lonestar concert to kick off fair

By Melissa Stewart | Editor

as a way for a donation to the Fair. The concert will not be going on at the Fairgoers get rockin’! same time as the fair but The Alexandria Fair and we hope it will let more Horse Show is adding people know that the fair music to its long list of things for visitors to enjoy follows and hopefully it will bring more people to this year. the fair.”

The fair welcomes Tickets for the concert, country which starts at 6:30 p.m. music hit range from $25 to $60. makers Lonestar to Seating is assigned and VIP tent packages are the fairavailable. For a seating grounds, on Route 10 chart and to purchase tickets visit www.rwatickin For ets.com.

Alexandria, tickets visit The country music Monday, www.rwa group Lonestar has Aug. 29. tickets.com climbed the record charts Special or call with such hits as guests 781-7700.

“Amazed” and “No include seaVIP tent News.”

According to their son eight packages biography on the website American are CMT.com, all of the memIdol conavailable. bers drifted into Music testants City from Texas. By late Danny 1992, Dean Sams had Gokey and Casey James. recruited singer-songThe concert is presented writer Richie McDonald

by Giffin Industries and and vocalist John Rich Kerry Chevrolet. (who are no longer with “The idea came from the band), as well as two Griffin Industries,” former members of the explained Fair Board President Doug Carmack. band Canyon – Michael Britt and Keech “They came up with this

Get your tickets

Rainwater. Billed originally as Texassee, the band hit the road and per-

formed more than 500 shows in 1993-94.

Lonestar made its

debut on the Billboard country music charts in 1995 with the Top 10 Single “Tequila Talkin.’”

According to their website, www.lonestarnow.com, since then, the band has amassed a total of 27 singles on the country charts, with 10 of those reaching No. 1.

In 2007, Cody Collins stepped in as lead singer, bringing a fresh look and sound to the already successful band.

In asking founding member Dean Sams what the future means, Sams said: “We feel like we have the opportunity that few bands ever get, we’ve sold millions of records, have had 10 No. 1 hits, and now we have the chance to take control of our careers and do it all over again.”

Lonestar, consisting of Cody Collins, Dean Sams, Michael Britt, and Keech Rainwater, released their 11th studio album in the spring of 2010, continuing the band’s legacy.

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Gardening winners bloom when their growing succeeds

By Neva Martin | Contributor Gardeners seem to have a gene for growing things. They say it’s also a lot of fun.

Anna Lee Wheeler of Alexandria has been gardening since age 8. She grew up with the fair, where her grandparents had a photo booth. She submitted numerous entries in 4-H, but she calls flowers her artistic outlet.

She has won several firstplace prizes in the Open Classes for several decades.

“I started Bonnie Rust with marigolds and zinnias,” said Wheeler, and still raises them.

“Now I’m into big baskets, roses and hydrangeas. I don’t do dahlias.”

One who does is Cold Spring resident Bonnie Rust, Grand Champion ribbon winner in flowers two out of the last three years. While this year’s heat may have dampened expectations on dahlias, she’s hoping her gladiola, water lilies and zinnias fare better.

“I’ve probably been participating over 20 years,” said Rust. Her grandparents raised flowers, and she grew up with green-thumb parents, Bill and Betty Ruschman. Her father has passed away, but her mother still has a garden.

She gets much joy from gardening, but a highlight for Rust includes sharing flowers with neighbors, as well as with relatives and friends at a couple of nearby assisted-living and rehabilitation centers, including Highlandspring of Fort Thomas.

“I got a Grand Champion and 10 first-place ribbons last year and I know people who live in Barrington of Fort Thomas,” said Rust. “I took the flowers and ribbons over to them. They shared memories with me about going to the fair, and really enjoyed the flowers and ribbons hanging from their carts and wheelchairs.”

Darlene Blackaby grows flowers, too.

The Alexandria resident also grows potatoes, beans and 120 tomato plants as

“I’ve probably been particpating over 20 years.”

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Bonnie Rust of Cold Spring has been a big flower winner in the Open Classes over the past few years. Here she shows one of her dahlias, with which she had much success.

well as beets and carrots, which she cans.

“My husband, Jim, likes to get up and open a pint jar of (canned) potatoes and fry them up for breakfast,” said Blackaby, who starts her own seedlings in her 8-by-10-foot greenhouse, winning ribbons for her plants over many years.

“Last year we won on a 92-pound pumpkin.”

These gardeners say they don’t have any secrets to their success.

“It has a lot to do with the weather,” said Blackaby. “We live on the river so we have really nice soil.”

Young’uns also play a part. Rust’s three children get a kick out of gardening, while Blackaby says it’s a fun activity to do with her grandchildren.

Perhaps passing on the gene to future generations.

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Connor Boesch smiles as he hands over the reins of “Medium Rare” the Angus Limosine steer he raised in 4-H, to the Schulkers family last year at the fair.

4-H presence alive and well at Alexandria Fair

By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor The Alexandria Fair will host several events for the 4-H clubs in the area, providing a showcase for animals, vegetables and fruit, sewing, and other venues which the 4-H clubs sponsor.

“Having 4-H at the Alexandria Fair brings out the families so that the kids can show off what they learned,” said Owen Prim, Campbell County Extension Agent for 4-H. “This is our 154th fair, and the 4-H has been around for 102 years, so they have been partners for the last 102 years.”

The 4-H works through all the schools in the area, some during school hours, and others after school. Four H isn’t just horses and livestock, although that is a big part, but Prim says it is also shooting sports, sewing, food, crafts, photography and many other projects that let kids achieve the result at their own pace.

“Kids are able to set their own goals, and then take on the

kids, he will want them to be in 4-H, because they will learn things they can use in life.

Sadie Boschert, who is 16, has been in 4-H since she was 9, and she realizes the important skills 4-H gives to students.

“4-H is so much more than livestock, although I have a couple of miniature horses that I show, too,” said Boschert. “I have made rugs out of tee shirts, done cooking and sewing, and lots of other crafts. But I think it has helped me with my leadership Sadie Boschert poses with her 13-year-old miniature horse, Mythbuster, at the abilities, too. It gives me confiAlexandria fair last year. dence, and helps me and others become better members of the responsibility to complete them, my grandma has a farm next community, and better people in and that helps with life skills,” door to us, and we have always general.” said Prim. “They can exhibit the had animals to raise,” Boesch Owen Prim concluded that the physical evidence of what they said. “We used to raise fair is the end result of the 4-H learned at the fair, and that Herefords, then we went to project, sort of like the recital at makes them proud.”

Angus Limosines. Last year I the end of a year of dance lesConnor Boesch, who is 18 and raised a steer called ‘Medium sons. It is a chance for parents lives in California, has been Rare’ and sold it at the fair. I and relatives to bust their buttons involved with 4-H since he was think 4-H teaches responsibility, about 9, and he will be going to because you have to feed the ani- at what their kid did, and a chance for the student, whether Morehead for Equine Science in mals two times a day, and keep age 9 or 19, to realize he can be the fall. records.” very productive if he tries.

“We don’t have a farm, but Boesch said that when he has

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Quad racing exciting to watch

By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor

With the sounds of the revving engines reverberating around the fairgrounds main arena, a quad all terrain vehicle drag racer kicks up dirt as he sprints out of the starting line.

People who attend the Alexandria Fair this year will once again be treated to quad drag racing, which will take place on Thursday evening, the second night of the fair. The event will take place in the center ring, and participants will race through the ring and out the gate from 7 p.m. to close to midnight.

“We had a good crowd last year, and I think they like it because it is something new, and basically anyone can do it,” said Andrew McNichols, Chair of the Motor Sports at the fair. “I think it adds a younger and fresh feel

to the fair.”

The cost to enter the race is $10, and the prize is based on the amount of entries. The winner will receive 75 percent of the total collected. The promoter for the racing is Wolfe Brothers Racing, and they help put on two other motor events during the year besides the Fair drag racing.

“We have different classes, from small to souped up,” said McNichols. “I don’t remember exactly how many signed up last year, but I think it might have been around 50. You can ride if you are under 18 if your parent signs a waiver. The only real equipment we require is a helmet.”

Brittany Carmack, of Alexandria, rode in her first race last year, and loved it.

“I’ve been riding quads since I was 4 or 5, so I am comfortable on a quad,” Carmack explained.

“I never crashed, but my brother Chris was flipped off his quad when he was about 10, and had to have 72 stitches in his face, because he hit a road sign. It was scary. I really liked racing at the fair. I was the only girl, and that was even better. Quad racing is different, and it is fun.”

Gates open for registration for the racing at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Games people play: They're all fun at the fair

By Neva Martin Contributor Racing on a stick, donning unique headwear, chasing chickens – the fair offers something for everybody when it comes to fun and games.

Throw in the hulahoop, watermelon-spitting and greased-pig contests, and you get just a few of the fair’s live reality shows, said Mary McCormick, who works with the children’s contests.

“The stick horse race is for children walking to 8year-olds,” said McCormick of the Friday night event. “It’s called the first class of the horse show. We provide the stick horse.”

Wanda Hornsby most enjoys the hat contest, held this year on Sunday.

Categories include Food, Historical, Western, Prettiest and Craziest hat, her favorite, since she won in that category a few years back.

Youngsters compete in the stick horse race every year, to open the horse show.

The fair offers something for everyone when it comes to fun and games.

“I had a chicken hat with legs hanging down the back, the first time I was involved,” said Hornsby, who now works

with the event. “Some people really get into it. It can get pretty funny.”

New this year is a karaoke contest for kids under 18, held Saturday night, said Sandy Shaw, who is in charge of the fair book and publicity.

“They’ve done (karaoke) for the adults in past years,” Shaw said, adding “A cornhole tournament (Monday) is starting to grow.”

Shaw’s favorite is the

See GAMES on page 9

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Horse shows are still an integral part of fair

By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor

and especially if you win, there is a sense of pride that you’ve done something good,” said Davis.

Horse shows are a very impor“There is also a fellowship when tant part of the Alexandria Fair you’re sitting in the horse barn, and Horse Show, which will with all the other horse people, begin on Aug. 31 with a parade that is very rewarding. Rich or to the fairgrounds. The horse poor, you don’t know the differshows start on Friday evening, ence sitting around talking in the and from there shows will conhorse barn.” tinue Saturday afternoon and Jim Schack and his family evening, Sunday afternoon and have been showing horses at the evening, and Monday afternoon fair for 25 years, and will again and evening, with the champithis year. onship horse show being on “My oldest daughter, Monday evening.

Miranda, will be showing, as will “We have 122 classes of horse my other daughters, Marybeth shows,” said Doug Carmack, and Maria,” said Schack. “My President of the Alexandria Fair The Schack family from California, Ky., Jim and Melissa and their children Miranda, wife Melissa shows the horses, Board. “Some of the classes are Mary Beth, Maria, James and Jason, display all the ribbons they won at the Alexandria and so do my sons, James and Saddle Bred, Standard Bred, fair last year for showing horses.

Jason. It is very much a family Arabian, Morgan, Quarter Horse, come in trailers, and work out of and best county horse shows,” thing with us.”

Hackney, Miniature, and those, instead of renting a stall,” said Davis proudly. “The Schack believes the Alexandria Carriage Horse. The winner of Fair is a treasure that everyone every show receives a crystal tro- said Carmack. “But we have peo- Alexandria Fair is part of all of ple come from all over the counour heritage, and people who should take advantage of. phy, which they like, and then “There is something for everyribbons and cash prizes are given try to take part in the shows. One have never been should definitely make a point of going this one at the fair, and that includes for places 1 through 6, except for trainer rented 22 stalls for his year. “ the horse shows,” he said.

Monday night, when ribbons and horses.”

Jim Davis, of California, Ky., Davis said he has been show“Especially for young families cash will be awarded to places 1 still shows his hackney ponies ing horses for years, and he with children. Where can you get through 8.” with his grandson, and his knows that people from all over so much to do for $8 apiece? It is The fairgrounds have 236 daughter shows her American Kentucky, and surrounding states a really good value, and families available stalls, and they are all Saddle Bred. come to the horse shows. can have good clean fun.” booked, according to Carmack.

“Ours is among the biggest “When you show the horses, “Many of our local people

GAMES |From 8 chicken rodeo, held on Monday, when youngsters under 18 dash to be first in their age group to chase their chicken over the finish line. “It’s a great activity for the kids.”

Many activities are the brainchild of Mary’s brother-in-law, Orville “Junior” McCormick, a fair board member who passed away earlier this year. He had directed the Children’s Farm, which includes a petting zoo, under the grandstand.

“The chicken rodeo will be called the Junior McCormick Chicken Rodeo,” Shaw said.

Jane Wright is co-chairing the Children’s Farm with Junior’s son-in-law Tim Tanacea, and Junior’s widow, Donna McCormick, will donate several silkies in memory of him.

Wright explained that silkies are furry, soft, docile chickens.

“People look at them and say ‘What is that?’”

Wright said. “We bring them in for the smaller children.”

Contests occur every night and are a favorite at the fair, said Mary McCormick. “We try to keep everybody happy.”

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Pageants promote positive self-esteem

By Jill Rooksberry | Contributor Beauty pageants are increasing in popularity these days and the Alexandria Fair offers up some of the best around.

The contests are open to Campbell County residents only and take place on Thursday, Sept.

1, Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4 at the Entertainment Stage. The pageants involve contestants ranging in age from birth to 22 years of age.

Mary Jane Schack is the Alexandria Fair Beauty Pageant director and she believes that the pageant is there for the contestants and fairgoers to, above all, have a good time.

“It’s a fun thing and we want the contestants to enjoy themselves and learn how to present themselves positively to the judges and audience,” Schack said. “We do it because the people in the county enjoy it and they want to come to the fair to see what they enjoy seeing.”

Rebecca Williams of Cold Spring.

Rebecca Williams of Cold Spring, Ky., was 10 years old last year when she won Miss PreTeen Alexandria Fair. Williams had always been a fan of beauty pageants and was excited to finally get the chance to take part in one.

To prepare she had to practice walking in front of the judges at home which was more difficult than she thought it would be.

She eventually got it down and on pageant day she nailed it. In the end, she found that standing up in front of a crowd was the biggest challenge of all.

“I have a bit of stage fright so that was hard being up in front of people,” Williams said. “It was a good experience because it helped me be more confident and helped me over my fear of being in front of a crowd.”

More confidence and increased self-esteem is what the organizers of the pageant hope all contestants, in the end, take away from their beauty contest experience.

For exhibitors who live out of the county – bring it in

By Neva Martin | Contributor Fair-goers in and out of the county can feel welcome, especially when it comes to exhibits.

The Open Classes exhibits, which feature Gardening, Canning and Food among other categories, welcome everyone, not just Campbell County residents. Two longtime entrants grew up in Alexandria.

Jane Wright, who now lives in the Peach Grove area of Pendleton County, has been an Open Classes participant for at least 15 years.

“I do more canning than baking,” said Wright, who is also a co-chair of the fair’s Children’s Farm. “I didn’t submit a baked good last year.”

Canned beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili sauce, jams,

jellies, pickles - these have earned her winning ribbons for the last three out of four years.

Wright won a blue ribbon for her zucchini bread a couple of years ago and it’s one for which she feels a special affinity. “It belonged to Francis McClanahan, a dearly departed friend of our family.”

Zucchini Bread 3 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 1/2 cups flour 2 cups chopped or shredded zucchini 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Grease and sugar 2 loaf pans.

Beat eggs until fluffy. Add oil, sugar and vanilla; mix until dissolved. Add dry ingredients; mix.

Add zucchini and nuts; mix. Pour into prepared loaf pans. Bake at 325 for 1 hour. Makes 2 loaves.

Helen Emerson has a 137-acre farm in Pendleton County, but she, too, is a Campbell County native.

“I grew up below the fairgrounds, on Nelson Road,” said Emerson. “My brother Eddie Ackerman has the original homestead. Our lives have always evolved around the fair.”

Her homemade catsup, which took second place last year, has been a family staple from the farm, passed down through the generations.

“My grandma, mom, aunt and me, we all made this, and now

I’m trying to pass it down to my daughter. Nobody makes this stuff anymore.”

Homemade Catsup 6 quarts of tomatoes, washed and cut up 3 medium-sized onions, quar tered 2 tablespoons pickling-mix spices 1 tablespoon black pepper Bring to a boil in a large pan; cook for 2 hours. Run through a colander; wash and rinse pan.

Add 2 tablespoons celery seed, 1 tablespoon brown mustard, 3 1/2 cups sugar, 1 pint vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt. Boil until thick; pour into jars.

Pressure-cook for 45 minutes.

Makes about 6 quarts or 12 pints of catsup.

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Livestock Show reveals youth’s dedication, know-how care of their own animals and providing a project summary and record book,” Prim said. “Also, The Alexandria Fair is a place if they are on a judging team they where young men and women have to learn decision-making can put their hard work, dedicaskills and back up their choices tion and know-how on display which helps with their communiduring the 4-H/ FFA Livestock Show and Sale in the fairground’s cation skills.”

Depending on the type of aniBig Livestock Barn. Showings mal they choose to work with, begin Friday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. youths begin working with their with the beef show followed by the market hog show on Sept. 3 at charges as early as February and continue all the way up until fair 9 a.m. and the goat and sheep show on Sept. 3 at noon. The sale time in September. One of the will take place on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. most rewarding things about the process, according to Prim, is that Owen Prim is a County it becomes a family project.

Extension Agent for 4-H Youth “The best thing about the Development and believes that project is that it takes the whole the life skills acquired through family being involved to be sucthe process of caring and showcessful,” Prim said. ing an animal are invaluable.

For Jake and Jarred Martin, “The benefits for the youth brothers from California, Ky., the involved in these shows are that it teaches responsibility by taking Livestock show is indeed a famiBy Jill Rooksberry | Contributor

Jake Martin

Jarred Martin

ly affair and they look forward to taking part in the competition every year. Last year Jake, 12, was thrilled that his market heifer won Grand Champion.

This year he hopes to have more of his hard work pay off and win Grand Champion again, only this time with his market hog, Helga.

Martin finds that he enjoys the camaraderie experienced with his peers throughout the fair as much as caring for the animals.

“It’s really fun helping other people get ready and having them help me,” Jake said.

Jarred Martin began showing at the fair when he was only 2 years old and is going to be showing a steer this year.

“It takes a lot of patience, hard work, time and a little bit of money,” Jarred said. “It’s a lot of fun.”