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Wayne County wraps up 2010 fair
The 6 and under age group chases down a pig during children's games, Saturday, July 31, 2010, at the Wayne County Fair grounds.
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WAYNE -- The first words that come to mind when you think of a county fair might be carnival rides, farm animals or music. For Doris and Ralph Hammock, it's funnel cakes.
The Huntington couple and their three young grandchildren enjoyed funnel cakes Saturday afternoon on the final day of the Wayne County Fair.
"We're here for the singings and to let the kids ride," Doris Hammock said. "But most of all, we wanted a funnel cake."
The Wayne County Fair also was a great place to hear gospel music, another reason the Hammocks came out. Fair board president Bruce Finley said three of the four nights featured gospel music, each time drawing a strong crowd under the pavilion at the Huntington Police Farm on Route 152 north of Wayne.
"When I looked out Friday night (during performances of Primitive Quarter and Highway 316), and saw all the people, smiling, singing and clapping their hands, that's when I feel it's worth the hard work," Finley said.
But despite the growing crowds and positive feedback, he wants to do more. After serving on the fair board since the 1980s, he still envisions a year when admission is covered by donations and more business sponsorships.
"That's my long-term goal," Finley said.
He also wants to see the fair board expand, with more representation in Ceredo, Kenova and out toward Tolsia. Those are the areas where business support is lacking and also where there just aren't enough fair board members to help get those communities more involved. Finley also said he wants to see an infusion of younger leadership who can bring in some fresh ideas.
"My main goal is to pull the communities together," Finley said.
The final day at the Wayne County Fair also included the 4-H livestock show, an array of children's games and contests, watermelon seed spitting, nail-driving contest and a horseshoe and cornhole tournaments.
The evening's entertainment featured The Singing Cookes, The Good Shepherd Quartet and Gospel Heritage.
For information about joining the Wayne County Fair Board, send an e-mail to board@waynecountyfair.com.
