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Eventful finale coming up at Shippensburg Fair


SHIPPENSBURG >> Saturday's finale at the 58th annual Shippensburg Community Fair starts early with the 8 a.m. draft horse show in the Gro-Mar ring at the southern end of the Possum Hollow Road fairgrounds.

Action will still be hot and heavy at that location as the traditional horse show — one of the longest-running events at the fair — runs late into the night.

In between a Kiddies' Day featuring special ride price reductions and the Chuck Lesher 5K Classic race that will keep people moving, equine enthusiasts can participate in a draft horse halter show and the Supreme Livestock Showman Contest will challenge exhibitors.

The free on-stage rock stylings of Nite Flite will perform dance music to wrap up the evening, while comedic magician Lee Germain performs three shows nearby.

Ashlyn Riccione, the Shippensburg 17-year-old crowned as the fair's 2015 queen Monday night, said she will be busy in her official duties throughout the day and evening Saturday — much as she's been all week.

This year's fair week routine is only slightly different than in the past, she said.

"I've been to every single fair since I can remember," Riccione said Thursday. She said friends and family have been by her side much of the week.

"In my down time, my family joins me and we eat," Riccione said. "And I got to watch the tractor pull Wednesday night."

Riccione added that she works part-time at a kennel and is at ease with animals, so her fair queen role of pinning ribbons on livestock and milking a cow came as no shock.

But before Saturday arrives, there is fun to be had by all ages and various interests Friday. Livestock shows for beef and sheep control the morning and afternoon, leading to the South Central Championship Holstein Show at 6 p.m. Lee Germain will perform two of his comedic magic shows, and tractors and trucks will show off their might in the Gro-Mar Ring.

If you think you have the pipes, show what you've got in Phantom Shadow's karaoke show on the fair stage. There's no cost for spectators.

The Shippensburg fair began as a one-day event in a parking lot in 1958, but quickly grew into a six-day attraction and relocated to its present location, where it became a highlight of the summer.

This year appears to be another successful version.

Jamie Rhine, the fair's assistant secretary-treasurer said recent weather has boosted interest. The fair is typically accompanied by extreme heat and humidity, and thunderstorms are not uncommon.

"Wednesday's weather was perfect, and the rest of the week looks like it could be good, too," Rhine said. "We'll have to wait until the end of the week to know for sure."

Remaining Fair Schedule
Friday

9 a.m. - Open and Junior Breeding Beef Show - Livestock Show Ring

2 p.m. - Open and Junior Breeding Sheep Show - Livestock Show Ring

6 p.m. - South Central Championship Holstein Show - Dairy Show Barn

6 & 8 p.m. - Comedy Magic of Lee Germain and Judi - beside Home Products Building 1

7 p.m. - Tractor and Truck Pull - Gro-Mar Ring

7 p.m. - Karaoke by Phantom Shadow - stage (register at 6)

Saturday

8 a.m. - Draft Horse Show - Gro-Mar Ring

8:30 a.m. - Chuck Lesher 5K Classic Run/Walk hosted by Chambersburg Road Runners Club (register at Gate 7)

9 a.m. - Supreme Livestock Showman Contest - Livestock Show Ring

10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Kiddies' Day - All ages can ride everything for $15, but must get to the ticket window before 3:30

12:30 p.m. - Draft Horse Halter Show - Dairy Show Barn

2 p.m. - Annual Horse Show - Gro-Mar Ring

3, 6 & 8 p.m. - The Comedy Magic of Lee Germain & Judi - Beside Home Products Building 1

7:30 p.m. - Nite Flyte (dance/rock) - stage (free)

Dale Heberlig can be reached at 717-262-4811.