SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. — The 35th Annual Schnecksville Community Fair took place recently in Schnecksville, Pa., just seven miles north of Allentown in Lehigh County. The hard work of more than 100 volunteers brings this fair to life each year. Over 1,100 competitive items, including over 200 animals, were entered. The theme of the fair was, “Farm, Families, Fairs, Fun!”
Several days of nice weather brought out hundreds of excited fairgoers. Friday evening featured the traditional fireworks. Entertainment included the popular Hansen’s Spectacular Acrobatic Thrill Show, Brad Matchett, Comedy Hypnotist, Agricadabra, Michael Felk’s Tinsmithing Show and Masters of the Chainsaw Extreme Power Carving Competition.
Many will remember that shortly after the 2017 fair a heavy storm caused the collapse the Exhibit Hall roof, so for the 2018 event a large tent became home to the competitive exhibits. Blue, red and white ribbons adorned the winner’s entries in the sixteen non-animal departments.
There were 229 animals entered: 80 sheep, 35 goats, 17 dairy, 16 beef, 14 dairy beef, 25 swine and 42 rabbits.
Best of Show in the still exhibits for 2018 were:
- 4-H and FFA — Madison Leibensperger, Kempton
- Youth Under 19 — Ryan Hofmann, Bethlehem
- Grain & Hay — Chase Wehr, Schnecksville
- Vegetables — Carl Richard, Shoemakersville
- Edible Nuts, Fruits & Berries — Julie Fenstermaker, Kempton
- Baked Goods — Linda Kelly, Zionsville
- Preserved Foods — Andrew Sukanick, Allentown
- Christmas Trees — Dianne Minnich, Slatington
- Horticulture — Kathleen Wright, Schnecksville
- Floral Arrangement — Arlene Clower, Schnecksville
- Needlecraft — Karen Hofmann, Nazareth
- Yocco’s Quilt Competition — Hand Stitched — Sandy DeLong, Okatie, S.C.
- Photography — Donald Chaplin, Neffs
- Painting & Drawing — Maureen Prusakowski, Monroe Township, N.J.
- Handcrafts & Paper Art — John S. Weaver, Northampton
- Woodworking — Richard Wright, Schnecksville
- Wines & Spirits — Brieann Peters, Palmerton
- Wine & Spirits-Beer — Daniel Silfies, Lancaster
- Apiary — Eugene Taylor, Douglassville
- Antique Farm Equipment — David Guldin, Schnecksville
Special Baking Contests
The Youth Cupcake Contest, sponsored by Houser Auctioneers — Kimber Kruzick, Breinigsville
Youth PA Preferred Brownie, Cookie and Bar Contest — Samantha Klotz, Allentown
Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest, sponsored by New Tripoli Bank — Tara Thorson, New Tripoli
Angel Food Cake Contest — Sara Kurtz, Emmaus
Refreshing Rhubarb Dessert Contest — Kathleen Wright, Schnecksville
Homemade Chocolate Cake Contest, sponsored by The Neffs National Bank — Sara Kurtz, Emmaus
Livestock Champions
The livestock contest champions were:
Dairy — Judged by Charles Seidel, Lenhartsville, Pa.
Grand Champion Dairy Cow — Michael Majerick, Germansville
4-H Grand Champion Showman — Michael Majerick, Germansville
4-H Reserve Champion Showman — Samuel Lazarus, Schnecksville
Sheep — Judged by Ron Trostle, Red Lion, Pa.
4-H Champion Showman — Zaren Kerper, Fleetwood
4-H Reserve Champion Showman — Foe Murphy, Philadelphia
Grand Champion Ewe — Bruce Snyder, Kutztown
Grand Champion Ram — Bruce Snyder, Kutztown
Reserve Champion Market Sheep — Dakata Hansley, Hamburg
Grand Champion Market Sheep — Makenzie Hansley, Hamburg
FFA Grand Champion Market Sheep — Zaren Kerper, Fleetwood
Goats — Judged by Rachel Teller, Hershey, Pa.
4-H Grand Champion Goat Showman — Morgan Kunkel, Kempton
4-H Reserve Grand Champion Showman — Andrew Bowman, Slatington
4-H Grand Champion Market Goat — Levi Lazarus, Schnecksville
4-H Reserve Champion Goat — Morgan Kunkel, Kempton
Dairy Beef — Judged by Kyle Herr, Bangor, Pa.
4-H Dairy Beef Grand Champion Showman — Josh Dietrich, New Tripoli
4-H Dairy Beef Reserve Champion — Ethan Sterner, Bangor
Champion Dairy Beef — Levi Lazarus, Schnecksville
Reserve Champion Dairy Beef — Gracie Havercamp, New Tripoli
Swine — Judged by Travis Hahn, Bangor, Pa.
Grand Champion Swine Showman — Makenzie Hansley, Hamburg
Reserve Champion Showman — Taylor Hansley, Hamburg
4-H Grand Champion Market Swine — Ashley Haas, Orefield
4-H Reserve Champion Market Swine — Ethan Sterner, Barto
4-H Grand Champion Feeder Pig — Ethan Sterner, Barto
4-H Reserve Champion Feeder Pig — Ashley Haas, Orefield
Rabbits — Judged by Dawn Plokhooy, Allentown, Pa.
Grand Champion Rabbit — Emily Laudenslager, Schnecksville
Special Contests:
COLORING CONTEST
Ages 2-3 — Connor Csontos, Fogelsville
Ages 4-5 — Brendan Csontos, Fogelsville
Ages 6-8 — Brendan O’Brien, Schnecksville
Ages 9-12 — Landon Csontos, Fogelsville
PEDAL TRACTOR PULL
35-45 Lbs. — James Baer, Allentown
46-55 Lbs. — Brody Schuller, Walnutport
56-65 Lbs. — Marcos Rufino, Philadelphia
66-75 Lbs. — Taylor Kerstetter, Slatington
86-100 Lbs — Madison Kerstetter, Slatington
First place winner in the Food Vendor category was Geaker’s Tacos, and for Commercial Exhibit, first place went to Alternative (Edwin Lema).
The Fair would like to thank all of our generous sponsors who supported various events this year. They are Houser Auction Company, the Youth Cupcake Contest; Neffs National Bank, the Chocolate Cake Contest; New Tripoli National Bank, the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest; Eckroth Equipment, Pedal Tractor Pull; Parkland Chiropractic, Wanna Be a Farmer, Yocco’s Inc., the Special Quilt Competition; and Kermit K. Kistler, Inc., partial sponsor of Hansen’s Spectacular Acrobatic Thrill Show. Also sponsoring were Nestle Purina PetCare, Horwith Fuel Oil, RCN and Imperial Auto Sales.
— Schnecksville Fair