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Parade positions

Waterford ready for a weekend full of fun

WATERFORD — While hogs may be the biggest draw of the Waterford Community Fair for local farmers and businesses, the fair parade brought out a few hundred people to Beverly and Waterford on Friday.

“If we can get the weather to continue to cooperate with us then there’s no stopping the momentum,” said Melissa Antill, treasurer of the Waterford Community Fair board. “There are lots of memories to be made this weekend.”

And the memories of the parade are why many participate every year.

“We drive in it every year,” said Ralph Lockhart, 74, of Waterford.

Ralph and his wife Karen were sporting a 1930 Model A Ford, an original from a much simpler time that was restored by the couple in 1974 for about $30,000.

“We’ve been married 56 long, long years,” said Karen. “We drive everywhere but make sure to always make it for the parade.”

Other staples of the parade included the Fort Frye Color Guard, warmed up to the beat before stepping in time to the music of the parade Friday.

“We’re always in the parade, I like it,” said Delaney Hilverding, 14, of Whipple. “We start out in color guard in seventh grade and do the Washington County Fair Parade, Christmas and the memorial parades too.”

Hilverding said she was grateful though in the heat of Friday that the Waterford parade wasn’t too long.

“It’s really hot,” she said laughing. “But that’s OK. I like performing and making the music visual.”

There were even younger riders in the parade as well.

“We have second-through-fifth graders in the Beverly-Center Cadets,” said Carly Spindler, of Beverly, who noted that the bike rodeo was a favorite of hers each year. “This is a great way to support the community and get excited for the fair, plus since it’s back to school week many are back from vacation.”

Spindler’s daughter, Laine, 10, said she was most looking forward to the “eggroll” ride at the fair.

“And I get more time to hang out with my friends,” she said.

Kelly Hoover, of Waterford, was seen in the parade hauling his 16-year-old son, CJ, on the top of his dairy farm’s semi-truck.

“It’s fun and our farm is the big one across the river so why not ride?” he said as he laughed.

David Locke, of Marietta, made sure to have a spot in the parade to share a little U.S. flag history.

“I have eight different flags from the history of the U.S.,” he explained, pointing out flags ranging from 1776, the Betsy Ross flag, to 1865.

“There are a lot of different designs historically of the nation’s flag and different numbers of points in the stars and the layout of the stripes,” he said. “The parade is a fun way to share.”

Also riding to share were the ladies representing EVE, Inc, a domestic violence support organization and shelter.

“It’s imperative that we get the word out that the resource is here and they can use it,” said survivor Monica McKowan-Farnsworth, 48, who grew up in Waterford. “The Beverly-Waterford area is one of the highest areas of domestic violence in the county so we’re here to spread awareness that people are not alone and that there’s help.”

McKowan-Farnsworth even displayed on the side of the truck a photo of her face after being injured in a domestic violence incident.

“It makes it more real and helps people come forward and say, ‘yes, it’s happening to me,'” she said.

Fair festivities begin both Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. with the presentation of colors by Boy Scout Troop 222.

Tickets

¯ Season membership: $12

¯ Single admission: $5

¯ Children 12 and under admitted free

¯ Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. senior citizens admitted free

Ride armbands

¯ Saturday, noon to 4:30 p.m.: $10; 5:30 p.m. to close: $12

¯ Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m.: $10, 5:30 p.m. to close: $12

Waterford Community Fair Schedule

Saturday

8 a.m. Presentation of Colors by Boy Scout Troop 222.

8 to 10 a.m. Livestock and Jackpot Show, Fair Barn.

9 a.m. Bicycle Rodeo, Fair Chair Alley.

11:30 a.m. Scales Open, Fair Chair Alley.

Noon to 4 p.m. Senior Citizen Day, free admission.

Noon to 4:30 p.m. Matinee rides, $10 for an armband.

4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Rides are closed.

Noon Tractor Speed Pull, Fair Chair Alley.

4:30 p.m. Hog Sale, Fair Barn.

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Pickin’ on Country, Tent.

5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Rides open, $12 for an armband.

6:30 to 8 p.m. Tractor Pull Sign-ups, Fair Chair Alley.

8 p.m. Tractor Speed Pull, Fair Chair Alley.

8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sweet Juliet, Tent.

Sunday

8 a.m. Presentation of Colors by Boy Scout Troop 222.

9 a.m. Church services, Tent.

9:30 to 10 a.m. Fun Horse Show Sign-ups, Fair Barn.

10 a.m. Fun Horse Show.

Noon to 4:30 p.m. Matinee Rides, $10 for an armband.

4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Rides are closed.

1 p.m. Pedal Tractor Pull.

2 to 4 p.m. Smith family Singers, Tent.

5 p.m. Truck and Tractor Pull, Fair Chair Alley.

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jake Binegar, Tent.

5:30 p.m. Rides open, $12 for an armband.

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