Children’s Day at fair delights people all ages

SKOWHEGAN — The sixth day of the 172nd annual Skowhegan State Fair was Children’s Day, and the sun shone brightly for the many scheduled events.

The weather has been a definite factor at this year’s fair. From opening day until Sunday, the Skowhegan fairgrounds were inundated with rain squalls, causing attendance figures to drop.

Monday and Tuesday, however, have been beautiful, sunny days and the crowds returned accordingly. The parking area was full of cars from Canada, New England and the mid-Atlantic states.

For most of the children attending, the midway was the bright attraction, with fast rides, slow rides, high rides and water rides.

A large petting zoo and the many poultry and livestock exhibits delighted the children attending.

The zoo held such exotic animals as kangaroos, camels, elephants and zebras, while pygmy goats and peacocks were also on display.

Results in some of the early agricultural events at the Skowhegan Fair were released. The winners included:

Pony pulling, 800-pound class: first, Bernard Sewell, St. Stephens, New Brunswick; second, Charlie Davis, Dover-Foxcroft; third, Bernard Sewell; 1,150-pound class: first, Sewell; second, Carter and Lancaster, Anson; third, Maurice Cunningham, Waldoboro; 900-pound class: first, Pete Libby, Chester; second, Manley Shores, Albion; third, Dale Shores, Albion; 1,000-pound class: first, Dale Shores; second, Dana Seavey, North Anson; third, Manley Shores; Sweepstakes class: first, Robert Rines, Gardiner; second, Clifton Thomas, Augusta; third, Lloyd Merrill, Skowhegan.

Tractor pulling, 5,000-6,000-pound class: first, Chuck Lusky, Lovell; second, P.H. Gallivan, New Brunswick; third, Walter Robbins, Clinton.

Horse pulling, 3,300-pound class: first, Decker and Ruel, Steep Falls; second, Myron Dickey, North Anson; third, Lauren Miller, Bingham; 2,800-pound class: first, Maynard Trundy, Hebron; second, Laweryson Logging, Bingham; third, Jim Davis, Sabattus; 3,400-pound class: first, Richard Tolman, Lincoln; second, Myron Dickey, Embden; third, Pete Kelley, Pittston; 2,900-pound class: first, Warren Trundy, Hebron; second, Laweryson Logging, Bingham; third, Jim Davis.

Oxen pulling, 2,000-pound class: first and second, Marty Farrington, Jay; third, Dick McConkey; 2,400-pound class: first, R.J. McConkey Jr.no town given; second, Mike Brannno town given; third, Alfred Eastman, Kezar Falls.

Events scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 15, include horse pulling, performances by the Blue Hill Brass Quintet, harness racing, Circus of Thrills, and judging of the Angus, beef, Shorthorn, Belted Galloways, Ayrshires, Jersey and Milking Shorthorns. The gates open at 7 a.m. with judging commencing at 10:30 a.m. The midway opens at noon and harness racing begins at 7 p.m.