The small village of Skelp will see heavy traffic and tons of people this week with the opening of the 72nd annual Sinking Valley Fair yesterday morning.
In each of the last 72 years, the festival has grown, and there’s no exception this year.
“We’re excited,” said Sarah Long, secretary of the fair. “We’re expecting hundreds of exhibitors, thousands of exhibits and even more visitors.”
The fair has something to offer to everyone, according to Long, who said it’s deigned for families interested in agriculture, gardening, cooking and just plain fun.
“When we start organizing this each year, we take into consideration everyone,” said Long. “We want whoever comes to have a good time and try to center the week around a variety of activities.”
Perhaps the biggest draw to the event is the farm show. Here, organizers have established 24 separate departments with hundreds of sub-groups where livestock breeders, gardeners, farmers, craftsmen, photographers, artists, wine makers, and antique collectors have the opportunity to show their wares, and possibly win ribbons and even cash.
“We gave out more than $12,000 in premium cash prizes last year,” said Long, noting that this year, some categories will award up to five ribbons. “That money is a co-pay between us and the state (Department of Agriculture).”
Long said the money used by the Sinking Valley Fair Committee is gained through fundraisers throughout the year. The fair is organized by a 12-person board of directors. There are also 21 charter members of the organization.
“It seems that each year, we have more people entering exhibits,” said Long. “It’s nice to see that this fair continues to grow as it has done for the past 72 years.”
Thirteen years ago, and each year before that, the fair was held at the Sinking Valley Grange, just a short drive down the road. But because of parking problems and the increasing number of exhibitors, the show had to be moved.
“The whole area was just a bunch of trees,” said Long yesterday of the area where the fair is held currently. “We established a few buildings and now we’re pretty happy with the area for this event.”
The event runs through Saturday and is free to the public; however, a parking space will cost fair goers a couple of bucks.
Yesterday, the fair opened to the public, but did not get into full swing until this afternoon. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., entries were accepted. Also yesterday, local youngsters of FFA and 4-H conducted a tractor driving contest and demonstrations. There was also a professional horseshoe pitching contest last evening.
The fair continues today with judging of exhibits taking place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., when the grounds are re-opened to the public. At 5 p.m., a growing favorite, the horse race is scheduled.
“We started this a few years ago and people are really catching on,” said Long. “It’s not a typical race where everyone’s on a track at the same time. This is more like how the song (Jingle Bells) goes. Over the river and through the woods….”
Long said each rider will run on an established obstacle course-like track near the fairgrounds that has flags posted at strategic positions. Each rider must weave through the course one at a time, retrieving the flags and trying for the quickest time.
Also tonight, The Weimers will present the Vesper service, beginning at 7 p.m.
The fair again opens for the public at 10 a.m. Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., organizers have designated the time Senior Citizen’s Day. At 5 p.m., there will be a calf roping and penning, and at 7 p.m., there will be a goat, sheep and swine show.
The nightcap will see two shows with Crystal Marie. She will be performing on stage at 7 and 8:30 p.m.
On Friday, a draft horse show is scheduled at 5 p.m. and Spring Mount Percherons will be featured at 6 p.m.
Also at 6 p.m., another growing favorite is scheduled with the talent contest. Registration for the event begins at 4 p.m.
“This is really a lot of fun,” said Long. “Everyone likes it. We used to hold it every day, but now we’ve increased the prize money and decided to hold it just once during the week.”
There are three separate classes: adults, youth and novelty. First place winner for the adult class will take home $100 cash, while second place is awarded $75 and third, $50. The youth and novelty class prizes are the same: $50 for first place, $35 for second, and $25 for third.
Friday’s stage performance is A Night With “Patsy Cline” beginning at 8 p.m. Long said this show features an impersonator of the country legend.
The final full day of the fair is Saturday. Exhibits open to the public at 9 a.m. A pet show is scheduled for 11 a.m., as is the weigh-in for the popular tractors pulling contest, which begins at 1 p.m. This event is open to the public.
From 3:30 to 5 p.m., the country music group “Midnight Rodeo” will perform on the stage.
A chicken barbecue is scheduled for 5 p.m. and exhibitors can remove their items and pick up their premium checks beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Finally, a public auction is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The show will again be opened Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., but only for exhibitors to pick up their items and premium checks.
There are plenty of other events to participate in and things to do, including a hay bail maze with all proceeds benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network, and a circus exhibit from Liebling Bros. out of the state of Florida, which will include pony and elephant rides, an exotic petting zoo and a “real life” alien.
