The Churchville Lions Club Fair is set for Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19 and from food, to entertainment, to tractors, games, crafts and more, it offers something for everyone in the family. This year’s fair is co-chaired by Jim Ehrmentraut, Bill Brunelle and George Beldue. Beldue encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities, “It’s going to be the greatest Country Fair we’ve ever had,” he said. When asked why, he responded with a chuckle, “because I’m one of the co-chairs. Beldue said all the money raised goes back to the community, providing funds for emergency help for children and adults and supporting community projects like the Lions Medical Loan Closet. “The Fair brings the community together to help those in need,” he said. He added how much the community looks forward to the Country Fair and hopes new events like the Ruby Shooz concert will pull in even more people. Also new this year is the garden tractor pull. “It’s fun,” Beldue said. The tractors are riding lawn mowers that have been modified and ‘souped-up’ for the pulling competition, some even look like hot rods. Beldue said the event is very family-oriented. Kids can enjoy many games and activities including air jumping balloon houses, wagon rides and horse rides. The weekend long event kicks off at 11:30 Saturday morning with a parade. The fair opens at noon. Activities and attractions set for Saturday include a Corvette Show from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. At 1 p.m. musical entertainment gets underway with the band Ruby Shooz, which is underwritten by Specialty Tools. Also at 1 p.m. it’s the kids pedal tractor pull and the Central New York Garden Tractor Pulls. The 6L6 band performs at 3:15 p.m. and at 5:30 p.m. its Spotlight Dance. Lama Jama Band takes the stages at 7 p.m. and the evening ends with fireworks at 9:30, underwritten by the Town of Riga. The fun continues on Sunday with a pancake breakfast from 7:30-11 a.m. put on by Genesee Country Village and Museum. A new, 3-mile walk to benefit The Pluta Cancer Center and Gilda’s Club of Rochester gets underway at 9:30 a.m. At 11 a.m. Southshore performs. The Antique Tractor Pull runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at noon it’s the “famous” Lions Chicken Barbecue. AKA The Blues performs from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m., it’s The Johnny Bauer Band. From 5 to 6 p.m. the grand prize drawing for $6,000 in cash will be held. Country Fair festivities also include a silent auction, vendor booths including 50 arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, farm equipment, chain saw carving and kids’ games. The fifth annual Star of the West Pie Baking Contest is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. Entry forms and rules are available through August 16 at the Star of the West Milling Co., located at 35 South Main Street in Churchville. There is no entry fee. There are adult and junior (under 18) categories. First prize is $75; second prize is $50; and third prize is $25. Winning pies will be auctioned by guest auctioneer Carol Ritter Wright. Craft vendors offer unique wares This year’s Churchville Lions Country Fair features more than 100 different vendors, including commercial vendors, community organizations and craft vendors. Cyndie Giali is chairperson of the craft show. She said there are many new craft booths this year. “I like to bring in different vendors every year,” she said. “I like to have a nice variety.” Some popular items include hand-painted wooden furniture and jewelry, anything that is hand-made or home-made, Giali said. Vendors include local businesses, the Tupperware lady, fudge, jams, jellies and maple syrup. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are on hand and information booths include the tissue bank and eye screening. Tractors roll into the village It wouldn’t be the Churchville Lions Country Fair without tractors, and this year is no exception. The Antique Tractor Pull will be Sunday, August 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bill Miller is involved in organizing the tractor pull. He said fairgoers can expect to see tractors from the 1930s-1960s. “Most are restored, some are not, but they are in good shape,” Miller said. All makes and colors of tractors will be on display with collectors coming from nearby as well as some from out of the area. Miller said the antique tractor pull works the same as any tractor pull, but the older machines don’t have the same speed or power as newer tractors. New this year will be the Central New York Garden Tractor Pulls on Saturday afternoon. The garden tractors are modified riding lawn mowers with bigger engines. The kids’ pedal tractor pull also takes place on Saturday afternoon. Silent Auction a crowd favorite Organizers of the Churchville Lions Country Fair Silent Auction are busy making calls and taking donations. Silent Auction Chairperson Sharon Schwalm said donations for the event are welcome. Anyone interested in making a donation to the auction can call 293-2731 to make arrangements to have their donation picked up, or they can bring it directly to the fair. Schwalm said she already has some great items, “I am excited about our donations for this year’s Country Fair Silent Auction,” she said. Some of the items up for auction include a $30 gift certificate to the Pampered Chef, a certificate for brunch at The Gatherings at the Senator’s Mansion in Churchville, a $50 gift card to Wegmans at Chili/Paul, a $25 gift card to Wal-Mart in Brockport, a certificate for one application of broadleaf weed control from One Step Tree and Lawn Care, a $25 gift certificate to Naughton’s Johnson House, a gift certificate to Sweetie Pies in North Chili, three gift certificates to Nick’s Family Restaurant, three gift certificates to Pontillo’s Pizzeria, three gift certificates to Stone’s Countryside Tavern, two gift certificates to Krony’s Pizza, a $40 gift certificate to Westside Florist, three movies packs from Family Video and 12 movie passes from Westside News for the Strand Theaters in Brockport, Canandaigua and Geneseo. Lois Favro of Churchville donated a handmade baby blanket, and a gift certificate from the Viking Valhalla Room in Bergen. Schwalm said she also has commitments for donations from Jitters Cafe for a gift basket, a gift certificate for free business cards from CDL Printing, a gift certificate from Beach FX in North Chili, bottles of wine from Chili Liquor and coupons from the Chili Avenue Wendy’s. Walk or run in new foot race New to the Churchville Lions Country Fair this year is a three-mile walk. Walk co-chairperson Jim Lamica said in past years the Fair has included a 5-K run/walk and other events. This year organizers wanted to try something different. The walk is a fundraiser for The Pluta Cancer Center in Rochester and Gilda’s Club of Rochester. Lamica said Gilda’s Club and The Pluta Cancer Center were chosen because both are local and offer support to those in the community with cancer and their families. Registration for the walk begins at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 19, with the walk getting underway at 9:30 a.m. at the main fair tent. Participants will walk three miles around the village. Beverages and snacks will be available at the fair site after the walk. “This is a fundraiser, not a competitive walk,” Lamica said. There is a $10 donation per person and a $25 donation for a family of three or more. Participants who collect donations of $25 or more will be eligible for a raffle prize. © August 12, 2007 - Westside News Inc. |
