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SEMilirfiiTiHil S w % / l / ® Wednesday, September 10, 1997 COMMUNITY CALENDAR • LIFESTYLES • SPORTS • COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENCE • TV LISTINGS ||pl Durham Central Fair Still a Fun Tradition After 145 Years HEAVE-IIO! -- The results of each tug-of-war contest during Children's Day at the. Durham Central Fair arc always hotly debated once a crew of youngsters is hauled across the line by a rival school. This teacher, in the role of referee, is keeping a watchful watchful eye on the proceedings. ÉÈSt CAT'S MEOW -- Nancy Ellis brought her cat, Daisy, to the Big Brothers Pet Show at the Orono Fair and left the contest with a number of ribbons on Sunday. Judging by the laughter on the midway, the applause in the cattle show ring, the crowds at the pig races and poultry barns, and the excited buzz pretty well everywhere, anyone would guess the 145th Durham Central Agricultural Society Fair was a huge success. But the numbers at the gate tell a slightly different story. "It was an average fair," says Ron Locke, the Fair Manager. "We didn't break any records." Attendance: 10,500 Overall attendance over the four' days from September 4 to 7 was approximately 10,500. "In previous years we've had 8,000, and we've had «a 13,000 other years. But we're not disappointed." disappointed." "We should make a little little money," Locke adds. A To no tÿ one's great « surprise, Friday night's Demolition * l_,, Derby proved once again to be one of the most popular attraction;;. And, much to Locke's satisfaction, satisfaction, it is one event that doesn't cost "an arm and a leg to put on" -- besides the special insurance, that is. Big Crowd at Demolition Derby "From year to year, the Demolition Derby always draws a good crowd," Locke notes. "Friends and neighbors like to come out and see the drivers smash up the cars." With fewer of the big old clunkers around, mini cars are turning out to be the big show stealers. "Those smaller, four cylinder cars can scoot around pretty fast. They just keep on going until there's only one left." Perhaps the biggest disappointment disappointment at this year's fair was that Saturday night's Battle of the Bands was cancelled when a thunderstorm rolled in. Battle of Bands Rc-Schcduled The lively musical showdown will be rescheduled, however, at a later date in the large show barn at the fairgrounds. "The bands will still get their chance to compete and the sponsors will get a chance to be seen," Locke promises. The Newcastle P Optimists report- ed that more people than fa -a expected v turned out 1? for the f 9 " S t o m p i n Country" i fair dance fa Saturday Tb night, mak- ing it a tremendous success. 22/ 1997 being jXU a municipal election year, a call for aspiring politicians attracted an over-supply of contestants for the Media Milking contest on Thursday night. Ambassador Chosen Five contestants entered the Ambassador to the Fair competition held in the arena on opening night. Outgoing ambassador ambassador Nancy Metcalf passed on her crown to the judges' choice for 1997- 98, Colleen Arbuckle, who is Prime Minister of her student council at Cartwright High School. Locke heaps credit on all the people who pitch in behind the scenes to keep the local fair going year after year. "In October the Durham Central Agricultural Society will host a special appreciation night and potluck dinner for those involved." "It's amazing how the fair comes together every year," says Locke. "A cr like a jigsaw puzzle and week before the fair opens, you end up with the big hundreds of volunteers arc picture." all out there doing their lit- And what a perfect pic- tle bit. It all comes togeth- lure it is! mmm PERSONALIZED SEAT -- Instead of using a lawn chair or sitting in the bleachers, this fair-goer found a conventional way to relax and catch up on some reading. DON'T CRY -- This young driver is upset that his parents parents didn't buy him the Corvette convertible he has always wanted to cruise around in. FEELING SHEEPISH? -- The sheep show is just one of the many highlights for those raising farm animals and wanting to show off the best they have to offer. TRAFFIC JAM -- As the judges inspected and tallied up the marks for a winner, the riders of the decorated bicycles bicycles checked out each other's creations at a competition on Friday afternoon GONE FISIIIN' -- These two young ladies were trying their luck at the fish pond on Sunday afternoon. They were just a couple of the many youngsters who enjoyed the midway rides and games.