2009 Parade Winners

2009 Clearfield County Fair Parade Winners are as follows:

••Best overall engine: Penfield

•Second best overall engine: Irvona

•Best overall engine/tanker: Winburne

•Second best overall engine/tanker: Oklahoma

•Best overall tanker, 1,500 gallons or more: Union Township

•Second best overall tanker 1,500 or more: Treasure Lake

•Best overall aerial: Brockway

•Second best overall aerial: Hyde

•Best overall rescue truck: Curwensville

•Second best overall rescue truck: Lawrence Township No. 1

•Best overall ambulance or QRS: Brady Township

•Second best overall ambulance or QRS: Glen Richey

•Fire company making best appearance: Lawrence Township No. 1

•Fire company traveling longest distance: Renovo

•Best overall squad, command or special unit: Boalsburg

•Best overall fire apparatus (judges choice) (sponsored by Paul "Foot" and Sue Lanich): Crystal Fire Co. of St. Marys

2009 Band Awards

There were no bands in the senior school band class AAA.

•First place senior school band class AA: Curwensville Area High School

•Second place senior school band class AA: West Branch Area High School

•Third place senior school band class AA: Purchase Line High School

•First place senior school band class A: Moshannon Valley High School

•Second place senior school band class A: Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School

•Third place senior school band class A: Northern Cambria High School

•First place junior high school band: Clearfield Area Middle School

•Second place junior high school band: Curwensville Area Junior High band

•Best appearing band front: Curwensville

•Best drum major (judges award): West Branch

•Best color guard captain (judges award): Marion Center

•First place miniature twirling unit: Dream Catchers

•Second place miniature twirling unit: Daisies Twirlers

•Third place miniature twirling unit: Liberettes

•Best drum and bugle/pipe band: Nittany Highlanders

•Best appearing float using parade committee theme: Keystone Child Care Associates

•Best of show overall: (parade committee choice, sponsored by Robbins Motors): Hot Shots 4-H

Rachel Syktich Crowned 2009 Clearfield County Fair Queen

Her fan section belted out “We Love You,” as she was called to center stage. Rachel Syktich, 19 of DuBois, was also the judges’ favorite and crowned the 2009 Clearfield County Fair Queen at the grandstand Sunday afternoon. “It’s so surreal. It’s real. It’s happening. It’s real. I’m just living it right now,” she said. “And, it’s only just begun.” Syktich said that last year’s queen Leah Carr has been a mentor. She said that she learned a great deal as a member of her court. “She’s been such an inspiration. She made me want to do it again with her amazing queen ability. I felt that I could try to live up to those standards,” Syktich said. “She loves our fair and its agriculture. It’s a big part of all our lives and is what will stick with me. She taught me how to promote and love our fair.” During the contest, Syktich said her hope was to attract others to her fair that is the fifth largest in the state. She said the “changing times” was a recurring theme at this year’s Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs Convention. She said that change is currently surrounding everyone due to the economic turbulence. “I hope you all can change that for one week. I see and know the times have changed. But for once time stood still,” Syktich said. Despite entering the contest as the previous year’s first runner-up, Syktich admitted that she was uncertain about the end result. She said that she had questions marks running through her thoughts. “All of those 10 girls were amazing. They were all true, good moraled girls. I think that they should all run again if they have the chance,” she said. She said that when announced the new fair queen, it was a dream come true. “It was like ‘wait, did they say my name. Did they just say my name right now? I’m the next fair queen, did they just say that.’ It’s just a beautiful dream that I’m living right now,” Syktich said. Syktich said that although she did not have her name called two years ago, she was inspired by friends, family and the queen committee to vie for the crown again both last and this year. “They are the reason I have this crown on my head,” she said. She said that she not only looks forward to promoting her fair with a smile, but also sharing the experience and memories with her court. “They are really great girls, and I am so proud to be standing with them. I know that we’ll all become great friends.” Syktich will be joined by Carrie Flanagan, first runner-up; Joslyn Smeal, second runner-up; Halee Kephart, third runner-up; and Devon Lucas, fourth runner-up.

Queen For A Day Entry Deadline Approaching

(CLEARFIELD, PA – JULY 24, 2009) Entries for Queen For A Day at the 149th Clearfield County Fair are due to the fair office by Saturday, August 1st. Young ladies, ages 13 to 20, are invited to participate in this new event that will provide beneficial information for future college interviews, job interviews, and/or contests and pageants. The event opens with a guest appearance by Miss Pennsylvania then continues with a Fashion Show by Suzy’s Fashions of Hyde, Fashion Bug of Clearfield, and Trousseaux of DuBois. The Fashion Show is open to the public. The remainder of events is for the pre-registered participants. Following the Fashion Show, Dori Samanka of Trousseaux, will make a presentation on manners, etiquette, and speaking skills. The Penn State Cooperative Extension Office will then inform the participants of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives. Following this, representatives from Avon, Merle Norman Boutique, and JC Penney of Clearfield will be on-hand to provide skin, makeup and hair tips. Miss Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen, and fair queens from neighboring counties will be on hand to meet and chat with the participants. Queen for a Day will take place on Thursday, August 6th starting at noon at the David H. Litz Grove Stage, but there is a limit of 50 entrants to the event. So if you would like to learn more about the Clearfield County “Queen for a Day” event, visit the Clearfield Fair office for an application, pick one up at WOKW radio station or any of our representative businesses, or visit www.clearfieldcountyfair.com. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. This event will help you to grow and benefit far into the future!

Changes at Weaver Street Gate to Ease Flow of Entry

CLEARFIELD,PA, JULY 29,2009: Fairgoers will notice a change in gate entry at this years fair at the Weaver Street and Park Street gates. Upon entering Weaver Street gate, fairgoers will be able to purchase their parking ticket and then drive directly into the oval to park. They will then be able to walk in at either the Weaver Street Gate or Park Street Gate. Admission Ticket Booths will be set up at the cross road of Weaver Street and Stadium Drive and also at Park Street. Fairgoers will purchase an admission ticket and receive their hand stamp for the all day carnival rides. All day ride stamp applicable to ages 4-64 with paid admission or to those who purchased an advance ride/gate pass. Those under age 4 and over 65 or who use an advance gate pass or fireman’s special can purchase a ride ticket at any ticket booth located on the carnival midway. The change was made in an effort to speed up entry into the fair and keep waiting to a minimum. For more information on this year’s fair events, admission rates, online ticket orders, or online purchase of the 1st ever fair plush collectible, “Mooley”, please visit www.clearfieldcountyfair.com.

Fair Exhibit Entry Forms Due 7/24

Got a knack for baking, needlework, gardening, photography, or art? Clearfield County residents are invited to enter their items for show at the Clearfield County Fair. There are many departments in which one can enter including Livestock, Vegetables, Fruits & Nuts, Home & Dairy, Floral, Needlecraft, and Arts, Crafts & Photography. Let’s not forget about the Hershey Baking or Angel Food contest. New categories have been added in Horses, Poultry & Pigeons, 4H, Vegetables, and Home & Dairy. A new department has been added for goats. Entry forms will be accepted at the fair office until July 24. Exhibits are to be placed in their respective buildings on the Saturday and Sunday prior to the fair. The full premium book outlining all departments, rules, and premiums is available on the website -click on the link located on teh home page right above the news. Premium books are also available at the fair office. Thank you for entering!