The Manchester Community Fair opened with a parade down Main Street during a lovely evening on Tuesday, June 17.
Everything from farm machinery to political candidates rolled along, ending at the fairgrounds, where the fair queen was chosen and crowned.
The best thing about the parade, from the perspective of some younger spectators, was that many of the participants tossed candy to children along the way. Fair board president Gary Bross said he remembers scrambling to pick up candy himself, when he was a kid.
The parade was also a chance for local businesses and organizations to participate in community activity. Fire trucks, antique cars, Shriners on scooters and kids on bikes were all part of the show. The high school marching band was also there, after an absence of some years.
The fair queen is chosen from a group of three nominees from each class of the Manchester High School. They all appeared before a panel of judges and spectators, right after the compact tractor pull competition finished up.
Isabella Keller was crowned as the 2014 Fair Queen. First and second runners-up were Taylor Withrow and Abigail Proctor. Miss Congeniality was Emily Proctor.
While judging was taking place, Bross introduced this year’s Grand Marshals Evelyn and Webb D. Seegert.
Earlier, Bross said that Evelyn had been helping out with the fair for some 35 years, and has contributed to the community in many ways. He remembers riding the school bus when she was the driver. More recently she has volunteered to provide transport to senior citizens.
Bross said the fair has been taking place for 70 years, “a long time in anybody’s eyes to keep an organization together.”
Bross said that grandchildren of the people who started the fair are now part of the organization. He himself got involved because he enjoyed the tractor pulls. He has been fair board president now for 17 years.
This year a major challenge was finding a carnival rides operator to replace the old company. The fair date had to be moved forward to make that possible.
An exciting new feature of the fair is a white tiger exhibit, featuring three of fewer than 400 such animals in the world. In addition to seeing them up close, being fed, visitors will be able to learn about conservation and restoring wild populations of tigers in India.
The fair continues through Saturday, with different programs and themes each day. Thursday is senior citizen day, and Saturday is ladies day. The midway with carnival rides and games is open afternoons.
Several categories of the always-popular tractor pull will take place. Compact tractors already competed. Large tractors will be pouring on the power all day Saturday. Adults and kids will produce their own power at the Pedal Pull Wednesday night.
Musical entertainment will include the Sarah Swanson Band Wednesday night, T.J Thomas country music Thursday, a Taylor Swift impersonator and the Saline Fiddlers on Saturday.
Another new feature this year will be “Touch an Emergency Vehicle,” on Saturday. Local agencies will give demos and let kids get a good look at their equipment.
A complete schedule of events is at manchesterfair.org.
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