Updated at 6:30 p.m. with information from KACS
Endearing memories – from delectable apple pies to cow pie Bingo – and the promise of new ones set the tone on Thursday, Sept. 24, for the official opening of the 2015 Unionville Community Fair.
Held at Unionville Elementary School, the Unionville Community Fair Queen and Princess Pageant annually marks the start of a coveted event that is celebrating its 91st year. Four contestants – two each for princess and queen – all walked away with honors.
Carly Rechenberg, last year’s queen, took a break from her studies at Messiah College to present the crown to Shannon White, 17, who ended her reign as the 2014 fair princess; Clarisse Cofrancesco, 17, was named the alternate. White crowned Lexus McKinny, 12, as the 2015 fair princess, and Lauren Chamberlain, 13, was named the alternate. All received scholarships ranging from $50 to $500.
Rechenberg said she was grateful to be part of the pageant legacy and imparted some advice to the girls on stage: “It flies by so cherish every moment.”
Kennett Square Borough Council President Leon R. Spencer Jr. expressed delight to return as emcee. He said the pageant, not unlike “spiced wafers” and fall foliage, represents a welcome sign of the season. Spencer also introduced the pageant judges: Karen Manzone, the 2008 fair queen and recent Bryn Mawr College graduate; Michelle Thomas, a gemologist and chief financial officer at Bove Jewelers in Kennett Square; and Chris Trombetta, a recent musical theater graduate of West Chester University.
Spencer noted that neither the fair nor the pageant could happen without a lot of hard work by numerous volunteers. Elaborating on that theme, longtime Unionville Fair board member Bonnie Musser announced that this year’s fair is dedicated to Dave Salomaki, who began serving as the fair’s director of awards in 1991. Salomaki has kept that behind-the-scenes role ever since, adding a stint on the fair’s board of directors from 2003 to 2005.
Musser said that when Salomaki began as director of awards, which requires tallying the judging results, he collected hand-written data and took it to Hewlett-Packard, where it could be plugged into a computer system. Technology has eliminated that chore from the routine; however, the job still entails a lot of detailed computations to ensure that competitors receive their awards, and Salomaki has never missed a fair, Musser said.
Calling Salomaki a consummate community asset, Musser pointed out that his service is not limited to the fair, where he basically survives on cold pizza for five days each year. His other activities include serving on the board for the United Way of Southern Chester County, working the polls in East Marlborough Township, judging Delaware’s First Lego League competition, and participating in both the choir and the hand-bell choir at Calvary Lutheran Church.
Salomaki said he appreciated the recognition. “My reward is the kids,” he added, describing their visible excitement as they bring in their creations, ranging from produce to Lego constructions, for display. “It’s wonderful to keep this going for the kids – for the adults, too – but for me, it’s about the kids.”
Danielle Chamberlain, the fair president, said in keeping with this year’s theme, “Harvest the Fun,” some new activities were added to an ever-growing list that includes the popular lip-synching contest and the Willowdale Pro Rodeo. One of the new attractions may squash the notion that pumpkins belong in pies. A group from “Punkin Chunkin,” a celebrated event held annually in Dover, De., will demonstrate how to propel pumpkins, using various slingshots and catapults.
“Only the professionals will be doing this,” Chamberlain said.
Other additions will include the Give and Take Jugglers, who will stroll around the grounds, and the Little Circus, a self-contained, 45-minute show that will take place on Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m.
Chamberlain said the Kennett Area Community Service, which maintains the Kennett Food Cupboard, would be participating in the parade this year and would also have a truck on the fair grounds to collect donations.
Melanie Weiler, KACS' executive director, said a truck would be accepting donations of non-perishable food items or personal products from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon. "The Food Cupboard is always in need of cereal, canned vegetables and fruit, as well as canned proteins like tuna or chicken," she said.
The 91st Unionville Community Fair, hosted by Landhope Farms, will be held on the fairgrounds behind the store, 101 E. Street Rd., Kennett Square, from Oct. 2-4. For a schedule of activities, visit http://www.ucfairinc.org.
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