15 September 2023 Albion Fair Time

The Albion Fair is an annual tradition for us. This year the weather cooperated fully for a perfect day. The local kids were in fine form for dress your pet competition.

When the adults take to the arena, the dust kicks up with spirited riding displays.

This old Ford farm tractor was gleaming with a fresh coat of paint.

We always ride the grand old carousel at this fair.

Ali is the goat whisperer.

16 September 2022 Albion Fair

Albion Fair offers a bit of everything for an afternoon...

A bit of silliness

Some serious riding

Even a blind horse gets a moment in the competitive sun.

There are old tractors.

And an old fashioned pick-up with a few shiny bits added.

There is also an 1890's carousel which is the third oldest in the world.  It's there for the riding giving us all a chance to step backwards and smile for a moment.

 

13 September 2019 Abion Fair

Albion Fair is an annual event for us.  It's a day together watching rural life in Pennsylvania.  Today we arrived in time for the dress your horse or pony contest.

The riding was spirited this year.

It takes a special relationship with your horse to ride it in these events when it is blind.

Ali charmed a few goats.

This beauty is probably already sold.  It's a nicely preserved old, stock Chevy.  It was on display in the vintage tractor area.

14 September 2018 Albion Fair

It's easy to look smug when you've been awarded a first.

Ali is the goat whisperer.

My horse was valiant, but lost again to Ali's noble steed.

15 September 2017 Albion Fair

It was Albion Fair time. We visit the fair as often as my schedule allows. It gives us a weekend away while the dogs are at camp. This year the weather was perfect. It wasn't too warm for the rabbis.

It was warm enough to enjoy a spirited afternoon of horse riding contests. The talent was good this year leading to hard riding competition.

Ali found a few goats who appeared to enjoy rubs.

Albion Fair is a small town fair, but always has an interesting display of old, local tractors.

A 405-pound pumpkin took the largest pumpkin prize.

We were happy to see the old carousel was operating this year. Last year, it was closed as the fair board wasn't able to locate anyone to operate the 1890 ride. It is always a last or nearly last activity for us.

16 September 2016 Albion Fair

We visit the Albion Fair as often as my schedule allows. Without Ali, the goats are lonely. :)

We usually find something new to watch and enjoy at the fair. We often watch some horse competition, but the walking two-horse hitch was something different. One person two horses and multiple moves made for some very interesting results and sometimes two horses racing around the pen with little or no control from their handlers. When it worked, it was an image of power and grace.

790# on the left beats 610# in the largest pumpkin competition.

Jerome Case started making farm equipment as the Racine Threshing Machine Works in 1842. The early steam powered machines were clearly visible with a prominent eagle cast on the boiler door. This one is still functional and runs annually at the Albion Fair. This was a steel wheel machine at one time. the rear wheels are correct for the time but have been altered by removing the steel blades and strapping tread to the rims, The front tires are a modification for the unit allowing it to be rolled over paved surfaces. I try not to be too close to the ancient boiler when it is pressurized, but it is quite a survivor.

We were sad to not be able to ride the very old carousel. Apparently, the fair is having troubles finding someone qualified to operate the unit.