By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
“I’m Ric Flair. The stylin’, profilin’, limousine riding, jet flying, kids stealing, wheelin’ n’ dealin’ son of a gun,” WWF wrestling legend Ric Flair commented.
The Tri-County Fair founded in 1920 in Petersburg took a page out of that quote with styling and profiling goats and lambs in a costume contest.
Instead of jets, there were monster trucks flying and a demolition derby for a good ol’ smashing time.
The Tri-County Fair 4-H programs from Grant County, Hardy County and Pendleton County had a record-breaking 801 entries overall: 446 4-H exhibit hall entries and 355 4-H/FFA livestock entries.
The Tri-County Fair is centered around the 4-H/FFA youth and the community came in droves to show support.
The heartbreaking tears after the market sale ended the fair revealed the love the kids had for their animals.
Pendleton County’s Tia Heavner won the 4-H/FFA Master Showmanship Championship this year.
The showmanship finalists worked with cattle, goats, sheep and hogs which didn’t belong to them to show their skill before an interview in front of the barn audience.
Moorefield’s Joe Riggleman came in second place, but showed great poise walking around the ring when answering his question and taking time to look at the supportive crowd.
During the goat segment of the master showmanship, one goat was excited and jumped up on the contestant several times.
The 4-H/FFA goat and lamb contest is very popular and featured special outfits such as a firefighter and dalmatian, weather reporter with umbrella, back-to-school backpack and student, cops and prisoner, Christmas theme and patriotic designs, plus other creative costumes.
The Tri-County Fair had its famous ham sandwiches, chicken dinners, funnel cakes, shakes and other delicacies to enjoy and the rides came to life in the evening.
The barn fun was all week with showmanship hoof stomping displays.
Kaedence Hall had fun showing her hog and noted it was quite sassy at times and was named Cardi B.
Hall took time to spray her hog with water and make sure it was properly hydrated.
Petersburg Softball state champion member Kinsley Crites showed a heifer weighing 1,400 pounds and stated this teammate was more challenging and was a lot bigger.
The arts and crafts, produce, baked goods and flowers were a wonderful display of the hard work and creativity by the 4-H youth and community members.
Moorefield Middle School teacher Stephanie Simmons shared an emotional support goat with other barn attendees.
Pendleton County’s Gracie Hedrick spent extra time with her goat Hank at the end of the Tri-County Fair as he loved the attention trying to get more food and rolling around in the pen with her.
Moorefield’s Hannah Snyder sat with her goat along with a friend at the end of the fair.
From hugs to tears, the children spent final moments with their market animals.
The community made some big bids during the auction to support the 4-H/FFA youth at the Tri-County Fair.
During the Renegade monster truck show, the Tri-County Fair Queen Ella Poling gave the announcement for the drivers to start their engines and Moorefield High School vocalist Caroline Auville sang the national anthem.
The monster trucks wowed the crowd going up on two wheels before taking to flying over and smashing cars.
The annual demolition derby closed out the Tri-County Fair with cars hammering into each other and one even flew on top of another as the fans cheered.
A pair of brothers from Grafton and Tunnelton won back-to-back Tri-County Fair stock car demolition derby championships.
Cody Travis of Tunnelton won the stock compact division this year, while his brother Brian took home the crown last time.
They finished as the top two demolition derby winners in the summer circuit last year, too.
“I love the atmosphere here. The adrenaline starts when I put the helmet on and is still pumping right now. It was exciting to win the trophy and keep it in the family as my brother won the title last year here. I always enjoy coming here to the Tri-County Fair, they have the best fans.” Demolition Derby champion Cody Travis remarked.
“It is such a beautiful area here. I love coming here. The fans are amazing. The kids loved it and they are the reason we do this,” Demolition Derby competitor Brian Travis noted.
There were 29 total demolition derby drivers competing this year at the Tri-County Fair.
Moorefield Middle School Volleyball coach Chessie Alleshouse’s husband Jay Alleshouse (Petersburg) had the most patriotic painted car with help from his wife and children.
The cars were spinning that dirt and wreaking havoc as the fun times roared in Petersburg.
From styling goats to showing animals and car smashing, it was a good time for all and something even Ric Flair would approve of here in Petersburg.
