Demonstrations abound at Fair

Scranton Edition // Scranton Edition News

August 5, 2009

Harford Fair begins August 17

Cindy G. Reynolds Special to the Abington Journal

HARFORD - Whenever anyone thinks about the Harford Fair, food, rides, animals, displays and entertainment immediately come to mind. In addition, a unique feature of the fair is the many demonstrations which can be enjoyed during the third full week of August in the relaxed country setting in the northeast corner of Susquehanna County. Local artists as well as international award winning demonstrators will be featured this year at the fair.

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Mark Tyroe, 2005 International X-treme Power Carving Champion, will be returning to demonstrate daily throughout the week. Using a chain saw, he will turn huge logs into beautiful wooden animal creations. An auction of all of the items will take place on Saturday, August 22, at 5 p.m. in his demonstration area at the upper end of the fairgrounds by the animal barns.

A wide variety of crafters can also be seen throughout the week in the Carriage House and the Crafts ’n’ Things buildings. Some of the crafted items include the jewelry, decorative embroidery, sewing, china painting, wooden bowls, candles and decorative painting. Other demonstrations to be enjoyed by fairgoers while strolling the groomed grounds with paved walkways are the beekeepers, sheep shearing, wool spinning, PA bluestone cutting and wood working. An old-fashioned ice cream maker will be churning out treats for hungry visitors and maple products will also be available.

On Friday, August, 21, local artist, Ken Ely, will be constructing another permanent stone wall on the fairgrounds. This will be the fifth year that Ely has donated a full day to the fair to not only demonstrate his craft, but also to leave a permanently constructed stone wall on the grounds. His talents can be seen in other areas with the stone walls he has constructed in the past. Ely is a Master Folk and Traditional Artist who is an honored recipient of a Fellowship and Apprenticeship Award in 2009. He is one of only three fellowships statewide to be honored by the PA Council on the Arts (PCA).

The new log cabin, just inside the main gate to the right of the secretary’s office, features a different demonstrator each day of the week beginning on Monday, August 17, with Charlie Ahearn weaving baskets. Tuesday will feature the Wyoming County Cultural Quilting Society and Wednesday will be painting and diversified calligraphy by the artists, Thursday Painters. Matthew Borne, a member of the Guild of Rocking Horse Makers in York, England, will display and demonstrate his skillfully crafted rocking horses on Thursday. Ginny John will demonstrate her talent with making macram� items on Friday and Al and Bambi Schack will show off their team woodworking talents on Saturday.

So plan to attend the truly agricultural Harford Fair, August 17 to 22, and enjoy the wealth of demonstrations and perhaps even buy a crafted treasure to take home as a memory of your visit to the fair. All of the demonstrators are very proud of their crafts and are always eager to explain or answer any questions from you, the visitors. Some of them may even encourage you to try your hand at their craft.