boone county fair

Boone County Fair 4H & Utopia 3www.boonecountyfair.org

4 Boone County Fair

5 Demolition Derby very popular

6 Horse shows draw from all over country

7 Fair adds new horse barn

8 A guide to fair going

8 Events calendar

10 Fair boasts a barrel of fun

11 Kissel Entertainment swoops into the fair

12 Burlington Antique Show

13 Pageants: An annual family affair

14 Livestock story

CONTACT The Boone County publication is published by theSpecialty Publications Department of The Community Press/TheCommunity Recorder. Questions and comments can be sent toEditor Melissa Stewart c/o The Community Press/Recorder 394

Wards Corner Road, Loveland, OH 45140. [email protected]. Or call 513-248-7121.

For advertising call 578-5501.

4 Boone County Fair 4H & Utopia August 8-13, 2011

By Neva Martin | Contributor

Horse shows, demolition der-bies, live music, 4-H exhibits,rides, the aroma of cotton candy- yep, it must be time for theBoone County 4-H & Utopia Fair.

Coming up Aug. 8-13, the fair,now in its 79th year, hasendured andflourished atthe fair-grounds at5819 IdlewildRoad inBurlington,said JohnWalton, chairmanof the fair boardcouncil.

“I started out at age 9 (in 4-H)and was 12 when we opened atthe present location,” saidWalton, a fair board member

since 1958 and its fourth chair-man. “The purpose of (the fair) ishelping kids get experience in the4-H and FFA programs … it's away the city kids can get a tasteof what's going on. It rubs off oneway or the other.”

Kids of all ages can get anearly taste of fair fun.

While it doesn'topen officiallyuntil Monday,Aug. 8, youthages 15 and

under can cometo theFairgrounds

Lake the Saturdaybefore for the third-

annual Fishing Frenzy, a freecatch-and-release event. At 7:30that evening, the World TractorPull rolls up at the Motor SportsArena.

New this year is a new bath-room and a new horse barn, saidboard member Larry Burcham.

“We also remodeled one, sowe have 16 more stalls with agrand total of 200 permanentstalls,” Burcham added.

The fair board also adds andtweaks events as it goes forward,said another board member,Sandra Cupps.

“The Sweetheart (preteen)Pageant has been such a success,we're changing it to Tuesday at 6p.m. in the center ring,” saidCupps. “We're also adding a newfun event.”

This event, called CountryClassic Showdown, will be heldSaturday at 8 p.m. in theMotorsports Arena.

“It'll have teams, with twopersons per team, participating incountrylike activities,” Cupps

added, perhaps a wheelbarrowrace, a three-legged race, “back-yard olympics.”

And in these difficult econom-ic times, the $8 admission fee forages 3 and up includes all ridesand events, said Burcham. Peoplecan bring a picnic basket of theirown if they want to save money.

“One of the good things aboutmost county fairs is that grand-stands are free,” Burcham said,adding that people are often justlooking for a place to sit awhile,whether it's a horse show or trac-tor pull, then get up and moveon. “But we have an outstandinghorse show and people also comejust to watch it.”

With 25,000 to 30,000 peopleattending each year, the fair relieson hundreds of volunteers, notjust board members, Burchamadded. “It's good clean fun.”

Boone County Fair – Fun for all ages

Check it outFor more fair

information, go to

www.boonecountyfair.org.


By Patricia A. Scheyer |Contributor

When people in BooneCounty go to their fairAug. 8-13, many will flockto the motor sports whichtake place in the motorsports arena, on the leftside of the fairgrounds bythe parking lot.

“I decided the fairgoersneeded something else atthe fair,” said Jim Rudicill,who has been on the fairboard for 35 years.

“I wanted some newthing going on in additionto the animals and thehorse shows. A few of myfriends were driving indemolition derbies, so Icontacted a promoter, andtold him we’d try it.”

The first demolitionderby was held in the park-ing lot, because there wasno arena, and Rudicill’sfeeling that people wouldlove the motor sportspanned out in a big way.

“We had such a crowd,we ended up out in the

field,” he said with alaugh.

“We found out thatpeople like any sport witha motor, especially thosewhere people crash intoeach other.”

Monday night at 7:30pm is the demolitionderby for mini cars.

Billy Turner of Hebronhas been involved withthe derbies at the Booneand Grant County fairsfor 21 years, since he was14 years old.

“It’s now getting to bea lot of work, but the rea-son I do it every year isbecause it is a lot of fun,”

Turner said. “I startedwith the minis and now Irun Crown Vics with Fordengines.

“I have two daughters,ages 11 and 13, and the 13year old wants to run inthe derby when she turns14. Her mom doesn’t wanther to, but it really isn’tdangerous if you knowwhat you’re doing. I comeout of it with bruises and afew cuts, and I’m sore, butall in all, it’s pretty safe.”

It has been nine yearssince the arena was built,and the motor sportsdraw about as big acrowd as the horse shows.

Even though Turner onlywon once many years ago,he and his brother workon a car every year andtry to win.

Gary Prather lives onWoolper Road in BooneCounty, about three milesfrom the fairgrounds, andhe fixes up a CrownVictoria with a Chevyengine to enter the BooneCounty Fair every year.

“The goal of the derbyis to be the last car run-ning and moving, andthen you win,” he said. “Itis an adrenaline rush, andit is kind of a game ofphysics, to try differenttricks to keep from bend-ing the car.”

As with Turner,Prather’s 5-year-olddaughter Tiffany tries tohelp him fix up the car tocompete. It is really a fami-

ly affair because his wife,Rachael, also likes to com-pete in the derbies, and lastyear she won first place inthe full-sized sedans at theBoone County Fair.

Bur whether peoplecome to see the demoli-tion derbies, the Mini HotRod Garden Tractor Pullon Friday, the Truck Tugof War on Thursday, orthe Tire Burn Out andLawn Mower event onTuesday, there is an eventfor everyone at the BooneCounty Fair.

“It’s pretty exciting,”said Turner. “You watchbecause you really don’tknow what’s going tohappen.”

Demolition Derby very popular

One of the casualties of the Demolition Derby at the Boone County Fair.

“I come out of itwith bruises and afew cuts, and I’msore, but all in all,it’s pretty safe.”

Billy Turner


By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor

The Boone County Fair, hap-pening Aug. 8-13, is an eventrenowned across the country, andmuch of the fame comes from thehorse shows.

The shows are held everynight, Monday through Saturday,in the evening, and during theafternoon on Saturday. Showtimes can be found atwww.boonecountyfair.org.

“Monday and Tuesday wehave some western quarter horseevents and barrel horse racing,and Wednesdays are Tennesseewalkers,” said Larry Burcham, alongtime member of the fairboard who organizes the horseshows every year.

“On a given night, we willhave 150 to 200 competitors inour horse shows, some who arelocal, and others who come fromas far as Texas. We are one of fivefairs in the state of Kentucky that

really count as far as quality ofstock, and quality of stalls andworkout areas for the horses.”

Burcham says he knows whathorse people want because heand his brother have a few showponies that they take around toshows to compete, and he appre-ciates the facilities at the BooneCounty Fairgrounds.

“Two-thirds of the AmericanSaddlebreds that compete live inKentucky, and we also are amecca of trainers here,” saidBurcham.

“It doesn’t cost much to enter,about $15 an entry plus gateadmission. But it pays about $150per class, and more for the threeand five gaited shows.”

The Saturday show featureshorses that are trained in threegaits and five gaits, which is thepace of the horse, and is a muchmore difficult feat for the horseand rider, especially when theyare going at a fast clip.

Angel Devroomen of HollandArabian Stables in Burlington hasstudents and boarders of hersenter the Boone County Fairevery year.

“We have Arabians, so wemainly compete on Thursdaynight, and we find that since we’reso close we can take a trailer andcompete out of that,” she said.

“Arabians are very versatile,so people get to see distinctly dif-ferent shows. We find that BooneCounty and Alexandria’s fairs arethe best around here, and we canfind a lot more horses to competewith during these fairs, becausethey draw quality competition.

“We also have 4H classes whocompete on Wednesday morn-ings in the Fair, and I would saythat it gives the kids confidenceto show in front of people at thefair.”

Horse shows draw from all over country

A rider makes her way into the ring to takepart in the Burlington Spring Horse Show2011. At the Boone County Fair grounds inBurlington, KY.

See HORSE SHOW on 7


Stephanie England-Grey of Little BritainStables on Idlewild Roadin Burlington has beenshowing and competingat the Boone County Fairat least since she was 2years old, and at 49 sheconsiders the fair a giantfamily reunion, seeingpeople she hasn’t seen inyears. Does she think it isthe best fair around?

“Well, yeah!” she saidemphatically. ”Our horsesare meant to show, andwithout the fair, we don’texist. It is the right levelto introduce showing, andmake a living at it. It sup-ports all the disciplineswe compete in, and it’sright down the road!”

Continued from 6

Horse show

By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor

The Boone County Fair will beheld Aug. 8-13, and people whoenter their horses in the myriadhorse shows will be very glad tosee what is basically a new barnand a half.

“We had a barn with about 18stalls that was in bad enoughshape that we couldn’t use onehalf of the barn last year,” saidCurt England, who along withJim Rudicill, Tom Ginn and LarryBurcham make up the GroundsCommittee for the Boone CountyFair Board.

“We were delayed in our con-struction due to the amount of

rain we have had, but now weare going full bore, finishing thewood part and putting in theelectric and water. So now wehave a new 24-stall barn, and ashed barn with 8 stalls that ismore of an open design to add tothe other barns, which brings usto nine horse barns.”

The new barn is about 130 feetby 50 feet, and is visible as soon aspeople pull into the second drive-way entrance to the fairgrounds.The new facility gives the fair 200box stalls, picking up an addition-al 16 stalls with the new barns.

“We have a lot of local peoplewho don’t rent the stalls,” saidEngland. “They just bring their

horse trailers, and work out ofthem, so the stalls can be kept forthose who come in from out oftown. But the new barns are verynice, and this means we havestate-of-the-art housing for thesehorses.”

The building didn’t stop there,as the fair board authorized anew set of restrooms behind themotor sport track, replacing theblock restrooms.

“This easily doubles ourcapacity,” said England. “The oldones were pretty antiquated, andthese are definitely an improve-ment. People will be very happywith them.”

The price tag for both con-

struction projects came to about$100,000, according to England,an expenditure that took severalyears to save up for. CraddockConstruction of Boone Countydid the barn project and HaggardConstruction, also out of BooneCounty, did the concrete work forthe restrooms.

“All of the money from thefair and from renting the fair-grounds goes back into theupkeep of the grounds, becausewe have a world class fair,” saidLarry Burcham.

“We also ran some three phaseelectric this year. I think peoplewill be pleased with the improve-ments we have made.”

Fair adds new horse barn, restrooms

Boone County Fair 4H & Utopia 98 Boone County Fair 4H & Utopia www.boonecountyfair.orgAugust 8-13, 2011

For pure excitement, nothing beats the county fair – anannual summertime tradition jam-packed with food, fun,family and friends. It’s definitely an enjoyable experience,but with just a little pre-planning and some skillful organizing,you can take it from run-of-the-mill ordinary to absolutelyawesome! Here, the 15 top things to bring along:

APPETITE Sure, the regulars will be there – hot dogs, curly fries, popcorn. But ifyou listen real hard, you’ll hear your name being called by the homemade pies,cakes and cookies peeking out from all those exhibit booths. Do you think thosegals win blue ribbons for nothing?

BINOCULARS There’s a great country band playing on stage, but you knowthe rule, right? If you’re even one inch less than 6 feet tall, you must stand behind awoman with the beehive hairdo or the dad with a kid on his shoulders.

CAMERA Kodak moments and county fairs are made for each other – fromyour little one’s first spin around the carousel to your husband’s glee at winningthat giant teddy bear.

CLOTHING LAYERS The days are real scorchers, but the nights can be cool.Unfortunately, birthday suits aren’t allowed, so plan accordingly.

COMFY SHOES Thought you’d impress the boyfriend with that strappy pairof new sandals? Oh, you funny girl.

FANNY PACK It’s definitely not a high-fashion statement, but who cares? Whenyou’re chasing your 4-year-old, while juggling a tired toddler, two blankies and acouple of sippy cups, you’ll be glad you know exactly where your car keys are.

HAND SANITIZER It’s a dirty world, people. Think about that.

MONEY, MONEY AND MORE MONEY Enough said.

SCHEDULE You drove 50 miles especially for the country music show at 8 p.m.Too bad it started at 6.

SENSE OF HUMOR There are 25,000 folks drag racing you for that last park-ing spot near the front entrance. Check your irritability and bad mood at the gate.

SNACKS It’s a well-known mathematical equation: Kids + fairs = hunger. So,unless you actually ENJOY concession stand lines in 100-degree heat, bring alongsome small bags of easy-to-eat treats for the little ones.

STADIUM SEAT CUSHION You’re with your husband and two sons. Thosetractor pulls and Monster truck races can go on forever. Do you really want tospend all night on that hard, wooden bleacher? Didn’t think so.

SUNGLASSES Movie-star glamour aside, these accessories are actually goodfor your health. Plus, Miss LaRue, the Fortune-Telling Gypsy, will appreciate yourair of mystery.

SUNSCREEN Remember the song, “Burn, Baby, Burn?”

WATER Close your eyes and imagine being lost in the desert for a week. Prettythirsty, huh? There are probably just as many water fountains out in that countryfield, pal.

A guide to fair going

EVENTSCALENDARSaturday, August 62:30-4:30 p.m. No rides untilMonday (Gates open at 3:30 P.M.)Fishing Frenzy (Catch and releaseevent at the Fairgrounds Lake.( Ages 15 years and younger.)7 p.m. Open to the World TractorPull (Motor Sports Arena)

Monday, August 88 a.m. 4-H Sheep Show ( 4-HLivestock Barn )8 a.m. FFA Sheep Show (4-HLivestock Barn)10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Registration of 4-H Exhibits: (Lutes Floral Hall: 4-HCloverville Exhibits)1 p.m. 4-H Goat Show (4-HLivestock Barn)2-7 p.m. Registration of Exhibits.No Vegetables entered on Monday.Lutes Floral Hall: Homemakers,Heritage Skills and Cakes. OpenClass Exhibit Building: OpenClasses for Foods, Art,Photography, Hobbies, andNeedlework. Vegetables & CropsBuilding: Crops, FFA, 4-H Crops,Honey, 4-H Honey and HoneyCookery.3-7 p.m. Junkimals, Junkobjects,Best Dressed Rock & Best PaintedRock Contests with the ParksDepartment. Entries dropped off atthe Boone County Old Clerk’sHistorical Bldg. (behind theAdministration Bldg. in Burlington) 5-6:30 p.m. "Jen & Alton” AcousticGuitar & Vocals (Pavilion)6:45 p.m. Pig Scramble - Girls(Main Show Ring)7-11 p.m. "Hockshaw” Country &Southern Rock (Pavilion)7 p.m. 4-H Horse Drill TeamPerformances (Lower Show Ring)7:30 p.m. Demolition Derby - MiniCars (Motor Sports Arena)7:30 p.m. Western Pleasure Horse

Show (Lower Show Ring)7:30 p.m. Team Horse PullingContest (Main Show Ring)

Tuesday August 98 a.m. 4-H Swine Show (4-HLivestock Barn)8 a.m. FFA Swine Show (4-HLivestock Barn)9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Judging ofExhibits Registered Monday1 p.m. 4-H Compact TractorOperators Contest (Motor SportsArena)2-6 p.m. Registration of Exhibits:Vegetables & Fruits - Open & 4-H(Vegetables & Crops ExhibitBuilding)2 p.m. 4-H Cat Show ( 4-HLivestock Barn)6 p.m. "Miss Sweetheart Pageant”(Main Showroom)6:45 p.m. The Great Rock Race(Floral Hall)6:45 p.m. 4-H Horse Drill TeamPerformance (Lower Show Ring)7 p.m. Western Contest HorseShow ( Lower Ring)7 p.m. Judging of Fruits andVegetables (Vegetables & CropsExhibit Building)7:30 p.m. Bubble Gum BlowingContest (Floral Hall)7:30 p.m. Tire Burnout Contest &Lawn Mower Derby (Motor SportsArena)8 p.m. “Miss Boone County Fair”Beauty Pageant - Boone CountyResidents Only(Main Show Ring)8:30 p.m. Sunflower Seed SpittingContest (Floral Hall)8:30 p.m. Hot Dog Eating Contest(Motor Sports Arena)TBD “Brian Dolwick” AcousticGuitar & Vocals (Pavilion)

Wednesday, August 108 a.m. 4-H Horse & Pony Show(Lower Show Ring)9 a.m. FFA Rabbit Show (4-HLivestock Barn)6 p.m. Little Mr. & Miss BooneCounty (Pavilion) - Boone County

Residents Only7 p.m. Frog Jumping Contest (4-HLivestock Barn)7:30 p.m. Demolition Derby-Full-Sized Sedans (Motor Sports Arena)8 p.m. “Miss Teen” Pageant(Pavilion)8 p.m. Walking Horse Show (MainShow Ring)9:30 -11 p.m. “Revolver” ClassicRock & Country (Pavilion)

Thursday, August 118-11:30 a.m. Registration: OpenClass Flower Show (Floral Hall)9 a.m. 4-H Beef Show FFA BeefShow (4-H Livestock Barn)1 p.m. Boys Baby Show • 6Months to First Birthday - BooneCounty Residents Only (Pavilion)2 p.m. Girls Baby Show • 6Months to First Birthday - BooneCounty Residents Only (Pavilion)3 p.m. Boys Baby Show • 1 YearOlds - Boone County ResidentsOnly (Pavilion)4 p.m. Girls Baby Show • 1 YearOlds - Boone County ResidentsOnly (Pavilion)

4 p.m. Open Class Beef Show (4-HLivestock Barn)6:45 p.m. Pig Scramble - Boys(Main Show Ring)7 p.m. Truck Tug of War (MotorSports Arena)5-6:30 p.m. Live Music- “DaveMay”- Acoustic Guitar & Vocals(Pavilion)7-11 p.m. “Last Chance” Rock(Pavilion)8 p.m. Open Horse Show (MainShow Ring)

Friday, August 128:30 a.m. 4-H Dairy Show (4-HLivestock Barn)11:30 p.m. 4-H Poultry Show (4-HLivestock Barn)11:30 p.m. FFA Poultry Show (4-HLivestock Barn)2:30 p.m. Boys Baby Show, 2 YearOlds - Boone County ResidentsOnly (Pavilion)3:30 p.m. Girls Baby Show, 2 YearOlds - Boone County ResidentsOnly (Pavilion)4:30 p.m. Boone County YouthPedal Pull Weigh-In

5 p.m. Boone County Youth PedalPull (4-H Livestock Barn)5-6:30 p.m. “Brian Dolwick”Acoustic Guitar & Vocals (Pavilion)6-8 p.m. Heritage SkillsDemonstrations (Lutes Floral Hall)6-9 p.m. See The Kentucky State "Fair Bears"6:30 p.m. 4-H Showman ofShowmen (4-H Livestock Barn)7-11 p.m. “KY Myle” Country &Bluegrass (Pavilion)7 p.m. Miniature Hot Rod GardenTractor Pull (Motor Sports Arena)8 p.m. Open Horse Show (MainShow Ring)

Saturday, August 139 a.m. Farm Tractor Pulling Contest(Motor Sports Arena)9 a.m. 4-H Dog Show (4-HLivestock Barn)9:30 a.m. Boys Baby Show, 3 YearOlds - Boone County ResidentsOnly (Pavilion)10 a.m. Girls Baby Show, 3 YearOlds - Boone County ResidentsOnly (Pavilion)10:30 a.m. Boys Baby Show, 4Year Olds - Boone CountyResidents Only (Pavilion)11 a.m. Girls Baby Show, 4 YearOlds - Boone County ResidentsOnly (Pavilion)11:30 a.m. Draft & Miniature HorseShow ( Main Show Ring)3-5 p.m. Arm Wrestling - (Pavilion)5 p.m. 4-H Sale of Champions(Main Show Ring)7-11 p.m. “Rodney Allan CombsBand” Country & Southern Rock(Pavilion)8 p.m. Open Championship HorseShow (Main Show Ring)8:30 p.m. Country Classic ShowDown (Motor Sports Arena)

Sunday, August 142-4:00 p.m. Exhibits ReleasedFruit & Vegetable entries notpicked up by 4 p.m. will be dis-carded. Premium Checks shouldbe picked up Sunday in the LentsBuilding.

Owen Heck, 4, of Hebron, tries out a tractor at last years’s Boone County 4-H & Utopia Fair.


By Jill Rooksberry | Contributor

If you enjoy a good horsecompetition head on down to theBoone County Fair’s LowerArena at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 9for the crowd-pleasing WesternContest Horse Show with thetimed barrel and pole races.

Linda Green began helping tocoordinate the Western HorseShows at the Boone County Fairin the early ’80s when her chil-dren were participating andenjoyed the experience so muchthat she is still at it today. Shelikes all of the horse show events,but feels that the barrel and poleraces are particularly fun for thecrowds to watch.

“It’s a fun show and the rid-ers get to let their hair down andhave a good time,” Green said.“It is unique because it is notjudged on appearance, it’s abouthow the individual and horsework together. We want thecrowd to cheer and yell for theirfavorites.”

Richie Green, Linda’s 26-year-old grandson, has been involvedwith the horse shows at the fairsince he was 3 years old, handingout ribbons and prizes.

He began riding horsesaround the same time and hasremained hooked on horses. Hehelps set up the barrels and takescare of the arena during the fair.This year he’s planning to ride

again in the Western ContestHorse Show on his quarter horse,Peppy. He says Peppy enjoys itjust as much as he does.

“It’s fun to go fast on a horseand the horses enjoy the event,too,” Green said.

The barrel and pole races aredivided into three classes thatinclude peewee, youth and open.The peewee class, whose partici-pants are 8 years old and under,draws the biggest crowd.

“The spectators really enjoywatching the little kids on theponies just starting out.” Greensaid. “ It’s very cute and fun towatch.”

All of the fairs around the areahave these types of timed events

and Richie Green believes it isimportant for the Boone CountyFair to offer them as well.

“It draws a crowd not justfrom our county, but from othercounties as well,” Green said.

“People enjoy going to theirneighboring county fairs towatch these competitions, so it isgood that the Boone County Faircan offer them too.”

Fair boasts a barrel of fun “It is unique because itis not judged onappearance, it’s abouthow the individual andhorse work together.We want the crowd tocheer and yell for theirfavorites.”

Linda Green

To advertisein the 2012

Boone CountyFair guide call

578-5501

www.boonecountyfair.org



Young’uns often get their firsttaste of the fair when theybounce up and down on themerry-go-round. Sample the cot-ton candy. Gaze at the colorfulmidway.

And John Walton, fair boardchairman, says the $8 admissionprice includes all the rides, whichkeeps family pocketbooks a bitheavier.

“This is about the latest we’vehad the fair (Aug. 8-13),” saidWalton, adding that workingwith Kissel Entertainment overthe past 30 years helped keep thedate within the first two weeks ofAugust.

“Next year we’re droppingback to the first full week. Weprimarily established these timesbecause of the success of the car-

nival area.”Kissel Entertainment, based

out of Clanton, Ala., has been afamily business since 1932, saidowner Russ Kissel.

“I’ve been doing fair businessall my life,” said Kissel. “Mygrandfather, Russell, started thebusiness and at one time therewere eight different midwaysthat the Kissels owned . . . Theywere started by various cousins.”

Six years ago, Kissel and hiswife bought the family out andwanted to take the business in adifferent direction.

“I think we’ve been very suc-cessful. We’ve brought about pos-itive changes,” Kissel added. “Wedo more country fairs than anycarnival in the state ofKentucky.”

He said the changes includedmodernizing the equipment,

improving the maintenance andelectrical programs.

“These are behind-the-sceneschanges that nobody sees,” Kisselsaid. “Everyone has to gothrough a background check anda drug screening. We have a bet-ter class of personnel.”

Most people have ridden theferris wheel, the Thunderbolt andthe Hurricane for squealingentertainment.

“We’ve bought a two-story-tallhouse of mirrors, called MardiGras,” said Kissel. “For little kidswe have a ride called SlimeBuckets (for ages 8 and under).These are just little seats that kidscan get in and spin as fast as theycan.

New this year is theAtmosFEAR, which Kissel

Kissel Entertainment swoopsinto the fair … for the fun of it

The giant ferris wheel is going constantly atthe Boone County 4-H & Utopia Fair. See KISSEL on 13



The fairgrounds’ 49 acresholds a capacity for family fairfun, but it’s not just limited to aweek in the first part of August.

Fair board member KurtEngland, who is in charge of fair-ground maintenance and leasing,said the property draws severalevents throughout the year, help-ing to raise funds.

“We just had an event for aLEGO show a few weeks ago,”said England.

It featured artistic displaysmade from those building blocksso beloved by youngsters.

“I didn’t realize LEGOs werethat popular,” he said.

An even more popular tradi-tion is the Burlington AntiqueShow, held the third Sunday ofthe month from April throughOctober. The fair board leases thefairgrounds to Tony Pham.

“My father-in-law, Paul Kohls,started the show in 1981,” said

Pham. “We are celebrating our30-year anniversary this year.”

With more than 200 antiquedealers, the Burlington Antique

Show allows only antiques andcollectibles such as vintage jewel-ry, primitives, architectural ele-ments and a large selection ofantique and vintage furniture,Pham added.

“People of all sorts come toBurlington for the treasure hunt,”he said. “It is a walk throughnostalgia.”

Two who have discoveredsuch treasures include Nancyand Bob Swartzel, owners ofBurlington’s Willis Graves Bedand Breakfast. Located next doorto the fairgrounds, this 1830sFederal-style brick home wasbuilt for Willis Graves,Burlington’s county clerk in theearly part of the 19th century.

The Swartzels, who haveowned the home since the 1990s,have been able to furnish theirB&B with one-of-a-kind pieces,said Bob.

“You’ll find them in all thevarious rooms,” said Bob, withaccessories that include “some

old candle sconces, antiqueclocks, a peel, (which is) one ofthose wooden things with longhandles to take things out of ahot oven, bellows for fanning afire, various ironwork pieces,locks used on some of the doors.”

And perhaps family memora-bilia. Bob, whose family hailsfrom Cincinnati’s Germantownregion, purchased an 1800s landgrant certificate from that areawhose recipient had his lastname. “You never know whatyou’re going to find.”

The popularity of the antiqueshow at the fairgrounds has alsospread, prompting the producersof “American Pickers” to the July17 event to film a new televisionshow for the History Channel,Pham added.

Whatever the attraction ofantique hunting, England said,“It’s probably the hunt, morethan what they get.”

Bob Swartzel agreed. “It’s thethrill of the hunt.”

Burlington Antique Show attracts thousands to the fairgrounds

The Burlington Antique Show, now in its 30thyear, features a variety of treasures at the fair-grounds the third Sunday, April through October.



When it comes to the fair’spageants, both organizers andparticipants have something incommon: families.

Beverly Burcham, pageantdirector, said all five categories,from the Baby Show to MissBoone County, draw hundreds ofcontestants because they have abig support group.

“Parents and grandparentslike to see their children per-form,” said Burcham. “That’swhat makes it one of the mostpopular events.”

She has been on the beautypageant committee for 34 yearsand director for 20 years, with astrong support group of her own.Daughters Bridget Kremer andBrooke Burcham-Hurst enjoy alifelong experience of helping outboth their mom and dad at thefair, Larry at the horse show andBeverly at the beauty contests.

“Everything is volunteer,” saidBrooke, who directs the BabyShow. “We’ve been doing it allour lives. We’re fair rats.”

Bridget leads the MissSweetheart (preteen) and MissTeen pageants, with assistancefrom Bridget and other volun-teers.

“It’s a group effort,” saidBridget. “We cross over and helpeach other out.”

The groups are not limited toa specific number of entrants,said Beverly.

“Miss Sweetheart (pageant)was at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays,but there were so many contest-ants that it ran into anotherevent, so we had to cap it at 40,”she added.

This year, Miss Sweetheart hasbeen moved up to Tuesday, with-out a cap. The Baby Show, ages 6months to 4 years, will be heldover three days and is divided byage groups.

“Our biggest age group is the1- and 2-year-olds, with moregirls than boys, although that’schanging,” said Brook.

The Baby Show is judgedbased on face and personality,Beverly said.

“(The judges) don’t talk to thechildren individually,” sheadded. “We tell the parents todress them in something cool.Some are napping; some aregrumpy. The judges have hadchildren, so they go a lot byfaces.”

Entrants must live in BooneCounty, and the registration feevaries, depending on the contest.Requirements on stage also vary.For the Little Mr. and MissPageant, ages 4-7, “we ask themwhat they want to be when theygrow up,” said Beverly.

At the Sweetheart, Teen andMiss Boone County pageants, thegirls are judged on stage pres-ence, which includes “poise,

beauty, smile, a little publicspeaking when they introducethemselves,” Beverly said.

The pageants have threejudges each, one for each day,and are brought in from outsideBoone County.

“We always try to get judgesnot from this area,” said Bridget.“Some are in modeling or broad-casting.”

Jordan Kennedy, 13, won theMiss Sweetheart Pageant in 2008and went on to compete in theMiss Preteen Kentucky CountyFair in Louisville, where she wasselected 15th out of 72 girls. Thedaughter of Marcia and David

Pageants: An annual family affair

Camille Gordon, 3rd place, 2-year-old girls.

described as “one of thosedrop towers.”

“It loads 12 people,takes you up about 90feet, then drops youdown,” he said.

Magnets are the safetyfeature of this adventure.

“If you were ever tolose power, the magnetsare always there andalways keep you from hit-ting the ground,” Kisseladded.

For the less adventur-ous, he suggests somecarnival cuisine. “It’s hardto go without enjoyingfoods: chicken on a stick,cotton candy, funnel cakes…”

Kissel Entertainmenthours during fair week:Monday-Friday, 6 p.m. toclosing; Saturday, 1 p.m.to closing.

Continued from 11

Kissel

See PAGEANTS on 14


Kennedy, Jordan plans oncompeting in the MissTeen Pageant this year.

“I love pageants,” saidJordan, a Hebron residentwho attends ConnerMiddle School. “Since I’mdoing sports all the time,it’s fun to put on a dressonce a year.”

Jordan, who has twosisters and two brothers,said all her siblings have

competed in various pag-eants throughout thecounty. “I have a twinbrother, Josh, and wewere in the Little Mr. andMiss contest… My moth-er just likes us to go outand have fun.”

Deadline to enter thepageants is Aug. 3. Formore information, go toBooneCountyFair.org andclick on “Pageants.”

Continued from 13Pageants

To advertise in the 2012

Boone CountyFair guide call

578-550 today!

The Boone County 4-H live-stock program is about morethan raising and selling an ani-mal – it’s about family, accordingto Christy Eastwood, BooneCounty 4-H Youth DevelopmentAgent.

“I feel that 4-H is unique fromother youth activities,” sheexplained. “The thing I like mostabout the 4-H livestock programis it’s a family activity. The wholefamily is involved from thebeginning until the end whenthey all go to the fair together forthe show.”

That’s something you can’ttake for granted in today’s times.

“We’re starting lose that senseof ‘family togetherness,’” shesaid. “We’re having trouble find-ing time to even have dinnertogether.”

The 4-H livestock programand Boone County Fair arechanging this and growing innumbers.

“We have a total of 88 (families)involved in the livestock club.

The club also gives a childself-confidence, teaching respon-sibility and many other impor-tant life skills.

The 4-H livestock shows willbe held Monday Aug. 8, throughFriday, Aug. 12, at the BooneCounty Fair grounds.

The 4-H Sale of Championswill be held 5 p.m. Saturday,Aug. 13. Be sure to check out allthe hard work these local familiesare doing.

Keeping families together

Neal Branscum, a judge, visits with Hebron resident Evan Anderson during the 4-H beef show.

Burlington residents Bradii Walton andBethany Slagle each hold onto a cow duringthe 4-H beef show.

Caleb Hodges of Burlington and his brotherEvan show off Hershey, a black face-Suffolkcross.

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