—Lancaster Farming. Saturday, Sept. 11, 1976
62
Solanco community made this fair
Next Tuesday marks the beginning of another
fair season in Lancaster County, with the Solanco
Fair kicking off the annual autumn festivities. The
Solanco Fair, which has grown by leaps and bounds
over the years, put up three new permanent
By DIETER KRIEG
QUARRYVILLE “Bigger and better than ever” is an oft
heard slogan which is frequently empty. But not so with the
Solanco Fair.
Once again this year, as in-just about every year since the
fair began more than a quarter century ago, the fair is bigger
and better than ever.
This, the 27th annual Southern Lancaster County Com
munity Fair, is being held on grounds and within permanent
structures which reflect the dedication of a community which
wanted to work together towards a common goal.
s SOUTHERN LANCASTER COUNTY |
| COMMUNITY FAIR |
{ September 15 - 17, 1976 ' ;
i ♦
t TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 161
| 3:00 to 10:00 P.M. Exhibits 10:00 A.M. County-Wide Tractor {
* Received. All commercial Driving Contest 4-H, {
t Exhibits in place. ' F.F.A. and Open Class |
J I 11:00 A.M. Judging Dairy Cattle }P
t 3:00 P.M. Judging Swine *
J 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. - Ham Supper ?
I WEDNESDAY, 6:30 P - M - Jud s in 8 Bab v ßeef t
I SEPTEMBER 15 { 7:00 ?K I rail Bike T ° bs n t f ac ' a $
% Ik Course Tug of War J
t 11:00 A.M. Judging Dairy Cattle. Ik - „ *
{ 12:00 Various other Judging. Jlj FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 J
| 2:00 P.M. Judging Sheep 2:00 P.M. Market Hog and {
{ 6:30 P.M. Baby Parade (in case of Baby Beef Sale *
{ rain Friday at 10:00 A.M.) QUARRYVILLE p p arac j e 5
I 7:30 P.M. Formal Opening AMERICAN LEGION 8:15 P.M. Entertainment |
* ompM i c 3lr r Rural Youth Awards will be
I 8:00 P.M. Log Sawing Contest fl .. . . r + *
t 55 Awarded during Entertainment *
* ON RT. 472 $
■^■★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★^
buildings within the past 15 months and has more
growth planned for the future. As in previous years,
there'll be a lot going on the midway, show ring, and
all around.
Earlier this summer the Hoffman Community Building
received its lettering, as shown in the picture accompanying
this article. This building, which is named in honor of John C.
Hoffman, well-known resident of Quarryville and former
owner of the Lancaster Bone Fertilizer Company, was
erected last year entirely through the funds and efforts of
Solanco residents. Hoffman was a prime contributor to the
cause, donating a sizable sum of money in memory of his late
wife, the former Sara H. Fuhrman Hoffman.
A year ago there was just one livestock building. This year
there are two. Like the other projects, the construction of this
facility was a community effort. Directors and organizers of
the Fair proudly point to this dedicated effort and voice their
appreciation. Kenneth Rutt, who this year completes his
tenth year of service as a manager of the Fair told LAN
CASTER FARMING on Wednesday that the community
spirit and efforts have been extraordinary.
To make it perfectly clear that the efforts in contributed
funds, materials, services and labor are not just for the
Fair itself, Rutt emphasized that the facilities are to be used
by the community throughout the year. He points out that the
rfew exhibit building is the “Hoffman Community Building,”
not “Fair Building.” As such, the facilities here are to be
used for a variety of functions.
Local as well as county groups have taken the Solanco Fair
Association up on the offer. The Hoffman Building and
surrounding grounds have been widely used in the past year,
particularly by local clubs and agricultural organizations.
This Summer the 4-H and open dairy shows were held here,
and there’s no reason to believe that this would change in the
immediate future. More recently, the Lancaster County
Farmers Association held their picnic here.
A third barn has been considered by the Fair Association,
which directs the community’s efforts to come up with a
bigger and better fair. But for the time being, the growth will
stop. Considering its presentJimitations both in terms of
money and facilities the Fair is not likely to expand a
whole lot more in 1977. It’s just about bursting at the seams
now.
According to Rutt, more commercial space was sold this
year than ever before. The 380-foot long tent which has
perennially stretched along the grounds parallel to Route 74,
(pictured in the right background on an accompanying
picture to this story) has 745 feet of inside space sold in it. In
addition, 1400 feet of outside space has been sold. Livestock
exhibits have also grown in size, including the sheep show,
which makes its second appearance here in as many years.
With further expansion plans temporarily at a halt, present
efforts are being aimed at improvements. The Community
Building, for example, is in need of insulation and heating. To
attain that goal, a fund drive was kicked off late this week
and officers of the Fair Association are hopeful that people
will again be as generous this year as they were previously.
The response last year was described as “excellent” by Rutt.
The Hoffman Community Building, which was designed for
multi-purpose use as well as food service, serves as a sort of
“centerpiece” or “gem” for the community’s spirit and
I Continued on Page 641