WATERFORD – Amid the aroma of cotton candy, fried dough and roasted pig were the sounds of the midway, music and children at the World’s Fair in North Waterford last weekend.
The small country fair is more than 150 years old and features agricultural exhibitions, contests, rides, games and food.
The team scoot, an event in which a team of horses must pull a loaded sled through an obstacle course, was won by Scott Gray.
Ron Hill’s matched blue ribbon team came in second. Hill’s mares won the trophy as the best Belgians in the draft horse show. His 7-year-old daughter, Maranda, won a trophy and first-place ribbon in the junior showmanship class with Marie, one of the pair. The team won another blue ribbon in the halter class.
Hill keeps Marie and her 8-year-old sister, Lindsey, in shape through logging, pulling moose from the woods and other tasks.
Stefan Winslow was first, Lindsey Bean was second, and Seth Bell was third in the 4-H working steer class.
John and Betty Grant ran the McDonald’s Farm petting exhibit. For years, the Grants took their animals to a dozen or more fairs. The Grants, their animals, and especially their 30-year-old burro, Jack, have had such a close association with the Waterford World’s Fair that they came out of retirement one last time for this year’s event. John said Jack “missed the excitement and enjoyed giving the kids rides.”
One of the highlights of the fair was the daily pig scramble. A moment of silence was observed before Saturday’s race for Chet Adams, who died this year. Adams had run the pig scramble for the past 25 years.
Ken Curtis was in charge of roasting the 90-pound pig featured at the Saturday night feast. It was cooked slowly over a wood fire all day. The pig was donated by Darrell Robinson, owner of East Conway Pork and Beef.
The Exhibit Hall had displays of crafts and projects completed by members of the 4-H, Grange, and others. A number of quilts were displayed.
Shawn Houston is president of the fair association, which sponsors the fair. Ronda Hainey, who won this year’ women’s skillet throw with a toss of nearly 54 feet, is secretary. Florence Cairns is treasurer.
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