Caledonia County Fair kicks off - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-
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If tractors are pulling, rides spinning and cows mooing, then it's fair time in the Northeast Kingdom.
"Some things you want to keep because of tradition, other things you want to change because people need new variety," said Dick Lawrence, president of the Caledonia County Fair.
Lawrence would know. He's been shaking things up at the Caledonia County Fair for more than 30 years. So what's intriguing fairgoers this year?
"It's a really big cat," said Heather Cobb of St. Johnsbury.
Cobb is talking about the white Bengal tigers at the fair's Big Cat Encounter. Feeding one is not something she ever thought she'd do.
"I'm glad the guy gave the tip to put the meat way up so the tiger could stretch out and I'm surprised that they are going to get bigger. Evidently they are only 3 years old," Cobb said.
"People don't realize how amazing they really are until they get to see them up close," said Clayton Rosaire, the handler of the big cats.
Rosaire travels the country teaching the public about these endangered creatures.
"If one little kid sees this show today and decides that he's going to go save animals, we've made a difference," Rosaire said.
From feeding tigers to feeding families, what's on tap for those adventurous eaters? Krystal's Fabulous Frickles dares you to eat one of Krystal Ingalls' homemade fried pickles.
"The older folks kind of look at it and say oh boy, I don't know if I can try that or not. But once we convince them to try it most of them do like it," Ingalls said.
The kids are an easier sell.
What is more quintessential than the merry-go-round? But what's not so typical is that riding the carousel or any other ride here doesn't cost anything extra.
"There's no longer a need for the younger people to come to parents and ask for more money because everything is included in the price of admission," Lawrence explained.
Freeing up parents to donate those extra dollars to charity, while competing in the fair's strangest competition.
"We are doing what's called a hands-on contest," said David Warren of Lyndonville.
Each competitor trying to outlast the next to win a new set of wheels. Whoever keeps one hand on the car the longest, keeps it. And the clock is running.
David Warren: One hour 17 minutes.
Reporter Jennifer Reading: How long are you going to go for?
Warren: Until I drop.
A fun filled fair with a unique flair for the whole family.
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