TimesLeader.com

Fair’s opening act stars fun

Six-day Northeast Fair has food and rides, and also showcases agriculture.

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

PITTSTON TWP. – Live music and children’s delightful screams could be heard coming from a section of Grimes Industrial Park about 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon as the Northeast Fair opened its doors for the 2009 season.

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The lights of the rides at the Northeast Fair paint the night sky during a time exposure photo Tuesday in Pittston Township. For a story on opening night of the fair, see Page 5A.

Don Carey/The Times Leader

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Fair enthusiasts enjoy the rides at the Northeast Fair in Pittston Township on Tuesday.

Don Carey photos/the times leader

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If opening day is any indication, the Northeast Fair will post some impressive attendance and sales records this season as people were lined up waiting to get through the gate throughout most of Tuesday evening.

For the next five days it is a good bet that children and adults will have plenty of smiles as they eat fried ravioli, gnocchi, funnel cakes, ice cream and puddin’ cones when they’re not busy riding forces of nature in the midway -- The Tidal Wave, The Tornado or calmer attractions like the Ferris wheel.

Jessica Myerski, 3, got a caricature created as mom, Monica Myerski, looked on. She hoped her daughter was old enough to really enjoy the whole fair experience.

“She is at the age where she can go on some rides and have fun,” the Exeter resident said.

West Pittston residents Maria Brandt and her son, Damien, 4, came to the fair with friends to spend some quality time together.

“It’s about family when you are here at the fair. Nothing is more important than family,” she said as they prepared to make their way toward the bumper cars.

Teenagers headed straight for the midway wanting to jump on the scariest rides they could.

Taya Oliver, 13, of Pittston, was gearing up for a ride on the Fireball – a 360-degree train ride in which riders are spun around an enormous circle as they scream with joy.

Kids weren’t the only ones having fun. Adults knew how to unwind as well.

Cindy Cercone of Bloomsburg and Martin Frank of Dunmore took time to admire the crafts in the general exhibit hall after taking in a couple of free shows, including the Ron Diamond Family Magic Show.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff attended the opening-day festivities presenting Fair President Joe Aliciene a certificate of recognition for the fair’s opening day.

The fair is the primary fundraiser for the Pittston Township Volunteer Fire Department and a few other local nonprofits.

This being Wolff’s first year to attend the Northeast Fair, he expressed delight with how the fair has progressively grown in the last few years. When the program originally started more than 40 years ago, it was a carnival before the fire department decided to expand it.

“It’s a great way to showcase agriculture and for people to learn where the food comes from,” Wolff said.

If you go…

Northeast Fair, Suscon Road, one mile from Interstates 81 and 476

Tickets: $8

Hours: Today-Thursday, 5–11:15 p.m.; Friday, 9:15 a.m.–11:15 p.m.; Saturday, 1-11:15 p.m.; Sunday, 1–11 p.m.