WESTFIELD-For families including Maureen Phelon’s, the third weekend of August has always been reserved for attending the Westfield Fair.
“No matter where we are, our family always makes sure we are back in town for the fair,” said Phelon during a recent interview at the fairgrounds on Russellville Road.
Maureen Phelon is seen with her niece, Madison Rida, and “Cheerios,” at last year’s Westfield Fair. Rida took first place in her class. (Submitted photo)
The Westfield Fair, which celebrates a 90-year milestone next month, is slated Aug. 18-20. Fair hours are Aug. 18, 5 to 10 p.m.; Aug. 19, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Aug. 20 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“The focus of the fair has always been on agriculture,” said Phelon, who grew up on Prospect Valley Farm. Her early experiences of caring for the family’s Milking Shorthorns, as well as chickens and pigs, cemented her passion for farm life.
“I enjoy doing chores and watching a calf be born and grow into something we helped make it become,” said Phelon.
Since her early days around age 2 when she started showing her family’s Milking Shorthorns at the Westfield Fair, Phelon said she has felt immense joy from the camaraderie she shares with like-minded individuals who care about agriculture.
Maureen Phelon was only 2 when she first showed her family’s Milking Shorthorns in competition at the Westfield Fair. She is seen next to the cow barn on the fairgrounds.
“It has never really been about winning,” said Phelon. “We have had the opportunity to travel, meet people all over the country, and compete all at the same time.”
The Westfield Fair was founded as the Young People’s Agricultural Association in 1927, and was later renamed the 4-H and Agricultural Society, until 1953 when it was incorporated as the Westfield Fair. Today, the fair features agricultural and livestock exhibits, amusement rides, games, a bike giveaway, entertainment, food fare and much more.
For Phelon, “showmanship” has always been her competitive point at the Westfield Fair.
Rauri Phelon is seen in last year’s competition with “Cutie Pie.” (Submitted photo).
“That class you are judged on your appearance, how you present your animal and your knowledge, that was always a good friendly competition,” she said. “We have never really stood at the top of the class; it is something we work towards hopefully someday. For confirmation classes we have held our own over the years and have slowly been working our way closer to the top.”
Phelon said she has also relished the opportunities she had lending a hand in the fair kitchen as a youth, as well as exhibiting her garden vegetables and crafts over the years. This year, as she co-leads a 4-H group of 19 young people, she will once again be busy in the barns since most of the 4-H members are participating in exhibits and competitions.
Phelon, her siblings and extended family members, are among several families and many volunteers who have invested their time and talents over the years to ensure the fair remains a mainstay in the city. Planning starts in earnest in October for the following year’s fair.
“My dad, James Phelon, started participating in the fair in his teens,” said Phelon, noting he was a volunteer for more than 30 years and served as president of the Westfield Fair Association for 10 years.
Last year’s youth dairy participants at the Westfield Fair. (Submitted photo)
James Phelon was best known for showing Milking Shorthorns and working the front gate of the fair. He passed in 1999 but his memory lives on through a Westfield Fair Dairy Cattle Scholarship which is given each year to dairy exhibitors who have participated at the Westfield Fair for two of the last five years. Proceeds for the scholarship are raised from a golf tournament to ensure his legacy of helping youth in agriculture continues. The deadline to apply for one of two scholarships is Aug. 1 with details at www.thewestfieldfair.com.
Now in her sixth year as president of the Westfield Fair, Mary Johnson also has a family history of growing up at the Westfield Fair.
“Growing up on a farm in Westfield meant exhibiting at local fairs all summer including the Westfield Fair,” said Johnson, noting her parents were active members of the Westfield Fair Association. “My sisters and brothers all exhibited since we were members of 4-H.”
Johnson said when her time comes to step down as president, she is confident that the next generation is ready to take her place.
“Our age group inherited the Westfield Fair from our parents and it’s nice to see that younger people are involved,” said Johnson. “It’s a nice feeling.”
Visitors to the fair can expect the traditional truck pulls, oxen and horse draws, demolition derby and mud bogs, and so much more – including entertainment on the main stage.
Musicians scheduled to perform include Feel Good Drift on Aug. 18, Stefanie Jasmine on Aug. 19, and Jim Blanch & the Boot Hills Band on Aug. 20.
Also on the main stage on Aug. 19 at 9 a.m. is the annual Miss Westfield Pageant, led by Kimberlee Starsiak, owner of the All-Stars Dance Center. The pageant is an opportunity for girls of any age to showcase their talents, poise and be an ambassador to their community. For more details, contact Starsiak at (413) 572-1122.
One of the highlights at the end of the fair is at 6 p.m. on Aug. 20 when items left in the exhibit halls are auctioned off. From baked goods, vegetable displays, flower bouquets and hay bales, there is something for everyone to bid on and all proceeds benefit the fair.
“The word has grown over the past three years about the auction,” said Phelon.
Other highlights include the Craft Barn with approximately 100 vendors, a petting zoo by Pine Hill Farm of Southampton, and specialty food booths including members of the Wyben community selling fresh-baked goods and corn on the cob. Also, the Westfield Fair Association will be conducting raffles including the Fair Raffle with donated items, a bike raffle on Saturday with one girl’s bike and one boy’s bike raffled (recipient must be present at drawing), and a 50/50 Raffle each day at the fair (recipients do not have to be present at drawing).
“We typically have between 2,000 and 3,000 attendees to the fair each day,” said Phelon. “It’s a great way for the family to spend the day and to support agriculture in our town.”
Johnson concurred.
“We try to reach all age groups with our events and exhibits,” said Johnson. “From good food to truck pulls, it is a fun way to spend a day with your family and support local agriculture.”
Admission tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult admission. There is also a $2 parking charge.
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At press time, the Westfield Fair’s schedule (subject to change due to inclement weather) follows:
August 18:
5 PM: Grounds open as well as the midway, exhibits, craft barn, petting zoo and farm museum.
6 PM: Official opening ceremony with veteran’s flag ceremony. Also, dining hall opens with “tacos in a bag.” Also starting at 6 p.m., “Magical Moments” balloon sculptures and truck pulls.
7 PM: Feel Good Drift on the main stage.
August 19:
8 AM: Grounds open; antique tractor pulls start.
9 AM: Opening of exhibits and petting zoo, Junior Dairy Show, and the annual Miss Westfield Pageant on the main stage.
10 AM: Opening of craft barn and farm museum, oxen show.
11 AM: Opening of rides and games, Junior Sheep Show, ox draw, and dining hall opens with “pulled pork, cole slaw and beans” or “shepherd’s pie.”
11:30 AM: Junior Beef Show.
Noon: Presentation of dairy scholarships on the main stage; Cosby Gibson & Tom Staudle performing on the small stage.
1 PM: Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull followed by games for children
at the activity center.
3 PM: “Magical Moments” balloon sculptures.
3:30 PM: Party of Two on the main stage.
4 PM: Kid’s bike raffle on the main stage and the Junior Dairy Costume Class.
5 PM: Demolition Derby by Skyfire Productions.
7 PM: Stefanie Jasmine performing on the main stage.
August 20:
8 AM: Grounds open.
9 AM: Opening of exhibits, petting zoo, and Adult Dairy Show.
10 AM: Opening of craft barn and farm museum, Adult Sheep Show, Goat Show.
11 AM: Opening of rides and games, Resurrection Airmen Country Band on the main stage, Horse Draw, Mud Bog by Skyfire Productions (modifieds, trucks, ATV’s, side by sides).
Noon: Adult Beef Judging, Whip City BMX racing, “Magical Moments” balloon sculptures.
1 PM: Dining hall opens – a turkey dinner is featured.
2:30 PM: Jim Blanch & The Boot Hills Band performs on the main stage.
6 PM: Westfield Fair Annual Auction.
