BARTON – Opening day brought harness and pig races to the 158th edition of the Orleans County Fair, along with a wide variety of family-friendly fun and ample opportunity to see the county’s best livestock and agriculture on display, Thursday, Sept. 4.
photo by Raymonda Parchment
The opening Curtis Sargent Memorial harness race saw a lightning-fast victory for MacWorthy, with Finnick coming in just hoof-beats away in second place. Rose Goldstein and Millie Maguire took a respective third and fourth place, with the race finishing in 2 minutes and 12 seconds. The only fair in the state of Vermont that offers harness racing, Orleans had a record 29 entries this year.
Family-friendly fun included carnival rides once again brought by Smokey’s Greater Show’s. Hypnotist Catherine Hinkley and Cooks Racing Pigs performed throughout the day as well.
photo by Raymonda Parchment
The 2 p.m. dairy goat show began the daily livestock competitions, as seasonal calves and the county’s chosen cattle were meticulously washed and clipped in preparation for the open dairy show, Friday, at 9 a.m., the Saturday youth dairy at show 10 a.m., as well as the open horse show, Sunday, 8 a.m., followed by the youth cow costume parade class at 10 a.m.. The 4H youth sheep show will complete the weekend’s livestock competitions.
The noon pig race saw unbelievably fast pot-bellied pigs careening around a sawdust track, to the delight of many onlookers. Screaming Yellow Oinker took a quick victory, with Speed Racer Red running behind for a close second. Go Go Green and Blue-By-You came in third and fourth, respectively.
Evening entertainment included the Black Cat Hell Drivers, putting on an automotive stunt thrill show before the working steers, at 6 p.m., and the ATV and dirt bike rodeo, at 7 p.m.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
