WEST MEAD TOWNSHIP — Fairgoers can get up close with a Stryker combat vehicle the Cambridge Springs-based National Guard unit used in Iraq, and those fit enough to hit the deck and do some push-ups can win free stuff.

It’s all happening at the National Guard booth near the poultry barn.

The Stryker combat vehicle open for inspection is fitted for reconnaissance and observation missions and was used by soldiers from the Cambridge Springs base when they were deployed in Iraq in 2009, according to Sgt. Ken Watson of Erie.

In addition to checking out the Stryker, visitors can put on combat gear to get a sense of the physical demands that face soldiers operating in the field. Fully geared up, Watson said the typical soldier carries 115 pounds.

If you’re fit and not put off by a bunch of people watching, the Guardsmen have a variety of items you can win by doing pushups. National Guard camouflage hats were going for 40 pushups Sunday, and Watson, a former Marine with numerous overseas deployments, was doing the pushups right along with those working for the prizes.

At this rate, he’s going to need a either a bigger jacket or an ambulance by the time fair week ends.





With this beautiful August weather, Christmas seems light years away, but it is on the minds of volunteers working at two fair venues.

ABATE of Crawford County and the Sertoma Club use their fair operations to help raise money to provide Christmas meals, clothes, presents and fun to area children who would otherwise go without.

The Sertoma Club’s always popular and reasonably priced sit-down indoor restaurant is at the end of the midway across from Home Show Building 1. In addition to friendly service and good food, you’ll find a variety of raffles underway there.

The Sertoma Club’s big event each year is the Jimmy Moore Party, which provided food, clothing, a present and entertainment to 500 children last year. The fair restaurant helps generate the funding necessary to pay for the party.

ABATE (Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education) is selling raffle tickets at its booth under the grandstand. Prizes include guns, cash and a TV. Proceeds go to the organization’s Christmas party, which includes a meal for families and gifts for kids who might otherwise go without. About 400 children received gifts at last year’s event.

Both organizations welcome new members. The Sertoma Club meets the first and third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at its clubhouse on Baldwin Street Extension. More information can be had by calling club President Jack Thompson at 333-1234.

ABATE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at  Ran’s on Liberty Street. President JoAnne Dederick at 282-4592 or jdederick@zoominternet.net can answer questions.





More than a few fairgoers have come equipped with nasty, rusty, busted up old pliers, and every one of them has headed to the grandstand.

No, the grandstand hasn’t needed repairs and, no, a decrepit tool show has not been added to the roster of fair events this year. They’ve all gone to the Channellock booth under the grandstand to cash in on a deal and help local youth interested in agriculture.

If you hand over just one rusty, busted, banged up or even unusable plier during Channellock’s Fair Week Trade Up, for $25 you can get a brand new Channellock three-piece pliers set — tongue and grove, long nose and cutting — featuring the new Code Blue grips made right here in Crawford County at Evolution Molding. Better yet, Channellock donates $1 from each purchase to FFA, which develops competent and assertive agricultural leadership.

As of mid-day Sunday, about 40 old tools had been handed in, and interestingly a number of them had the not-quite Channellock blue handgrips often used by unethical, inferior Channellock wannabes based overseas.





Saturday night’s Alan Jackson was a sellout drawing a crowd of nearly 10,000, fair board member John Lasko confirmed.

Everything ran smoothly and “we were very please and Alan Jackson’s management was very pleased,” Lasko said. Having met Jackson prior to the show, Lasko described the star as “a very down-to-earth person.”

Tickets are still available Tuesday’s Thompson Square and Eli Young concert at 7:30 p.m. Lasko said the easiest way to get tickets at this point is to purchase them at the fair office near the grandstand.



 

Titusville Day at the fair is Monday.

All fairgoers are invited to visit the tent in front of the fair office to learn about everything the Titusville area has to offer.

The fair office is on the southern end of the grandstand near the end of the midway.





Free admission to the fairgrounds for senior citizens — those 65 and older — is available before 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday.

It is necessary to show proof of age at the gate.





Children’s Ride-A-Rama days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

A coupon for $1 off the Ride-A-Rama fee is on the front page of the Tribune’s fair guide published Friday and in the fair brochure available at the Tribune and at the fairgrounds.





Persons who have limited mobility or handicaps can get a free ride to and from the fairgrounds parking areas.

Simply ask the parking attendants who direct you to a parking space, or hail a golfcart bearing a blue flag with a wheelchair symbol.