Brooke Fair offered food, fun and competition
TEAM SPIRIT — Pupils in Janice Jackson’s fourth grade homeroom at Brooke Intermediate South emerged the winner of the tug of war competition between Brooke County elementary schools at the Brooke County Fair Saturday. The team included Kaylee Burdette, Kendall McAdams, Hunter Sansoucie, Aidric Gagich, Lyela Charlesworth, Camden Mozingo and Silas Mazzella. Behind them are LuAnn DiRemigio, their coach and a teacher at the school; and Norm Schwertfeger and Mary Fluharty, volunteers for the event. -- Warren Scott
MUCH TO SEE AND DO — There were many vendors and nonprofit groups selling food and merchandise and a variety of entertainment, activities and competitions during the Brooke County Fair, which was held at Brooke Hills Park this weekend. -- Warren Scott
TEAM SPIRIT — Pupils in Janice Jackson’s fourth grade homeroom at Brooke Intermediate South emerged the winner of the tug of war competition between Brooke County elementary schools at the Brooke County Fair Saturday. The team included Kaylee Burdette, Kendall McAdams, Hunter Sansoucie, Aidric Gagich, Lyela Charlesworth, Camden Mozingo and Silas Mazzella. Behind them are LuAnn DiRemigio, their coach and a teacher at the school; and Norm Schwertfeger and Mary Fluharty, volunteers for the event. -- Warren Scott
MUCH TO SEE AND DO — There were many vendors and nonprofit groups selling food and merchandise and a variety of entertainment, activities and competitions during the Brooke County Fair, which was held at Brooke Hills Park this weekend. -- Warren Scott
Trending
WELLSBURG -- There was much to see and do at the Brooke County Fair this weekend and many ways for attendees to compete.
Among its many attractions were bull riding, trick horse riding and other events of the Luckey E. Rodeo on Sunday; an opportunity to see various animals up close thanks to World of Animals and the Fort Steuben Kennel Association on Saturday; and amusement rides, bounce houses and miniature train rides throughout the weekend.
Since it was revived 20 years ago, the three-day festival at Brooke Hills Park has included many competitive events, from a demolition derby and truck mud race to mud volleyball tournaments between local middle and high school students.
A contest that brings many to the fair is a tug of war between teams of third- and fourth-graders from Brooke Intermediate North and Brooke Intermediate South.
After several rounds between several homerooms from the two schools, pupils representing Janice Jackson's homeroom at Brooke Intermediate South emerged the winner, allowing their school to display the competition's traveling trophy for another year.
Coached by LuAnn DiRemigio, a teacher at the school; and Scott Donohew, its principal, the team included Kaylee Burdette, Kendall McAdams, Hunter Sansoucie, Aidric Gagich, Lyela Charlesworth, Camden Mozingo and Silas Mazzella.
Many parents, grandparents and other spectators cheered on all of the teams, watching as members tensed their muscles and gritted their teeth.
The teams got a break when several adults were invited to form two teams for a tug of war match.
The event was organized by volunteers Norm Schwertfeger and Gerry and Mary Fluharty.
A survey of the many trailers and booths set up on the fairgrounds revealed an assortment of food and merchandise for sale.
For many nonprofit groups, the fair offered an opportunity to spread the word about their efforts while sometimes raising some money.
Wellsburg United Methodist Church was among local churches on hand, with members selling tacos in a bag, cabbage and noodles, ice cream and other food from a trailer lent by a friend.
Billie Jo Falcon, one of several volunteers for the church, said the fundraiser helps them to do various projects around the church.
"This year we hope to put in new gravel, mulch and flowers at our prayer garden," said Falcon, who added everyone is welcome to sit down at a gazebo near the garden "even if it's to stop and take a breath from life. Sometimes we pray without realizing it."
Also on hand were volunteers behind the Striplight Theatre, a community theater group that is working to renovate the former Follansbee Eagles Lodge for theatrical productions and other events.
Amy Balog, a member of the group, said to raise money for that endeavor, they are teaming with Sam Kiser and Ruth Comley of Stage and Steel to present the Khymira Delirium Theater, a Halloween festival, each Friday and Saturday in the former Follansbee Middle School auditorium, which is now part of the Bluewave Center
Kiser said the event is aimed at families with children age 6 and up, with actors appearing as ghosts to share "their" stories, virtual reality and other games and an onstage role-playing game.
Details can be found at www.stageandsteel.com.
Comley said the fair offered an excellent way to promote the new endeavor.
"The fair is such a great place to meet so many people," she said.