Strolling down the midway at the 37th Annual Firefighters’ Indian River County Fair was like taking a nostalgic trip back in time. The music blared, colorful lights pulsed, and carnies called out to wide-eyed children, tempting them with funnel cakes and kettle corn or challenges to try their luck at winning a giant stuffed bear.
To keep things fresh, new entertainers are booked each year, including nine new rides and a thrilling Pirates of the Caribbean High Dive Show that featured hijinks and death-defying, 80-foot-high dives that kept the audience at the edge of their seats.
Another family favorite was the Firefighter Training Show, with junior firefighters suiting up to learn the tricks of the trade, dousing flames but not enthusiasm while promoting fire safety.
Also popular were the demolition derby, hypnosis, comedy and illusion acts, local and national entertainers, with a bake sale, barn dance and homemade crafts to round out offerings and elicit fond memories for older attendees.
In addition to games, rides and entertainment, the fair provided a venue for local youth to showcase livestock at the 4-H Youth Fair Show and Auction.
According to Darren Cole, 4-H program director, there were about 180 entries this year, some with multiple projects. More than 25 categories are on the roster, including showmanship, breeding, grooming, Barn King and Queen, shooting and even a barbecue competition.
“The kids raised goats, chickens, swine, steer, rabbit, cavy and citrus,” explained Cole, noting that the children learn valuable life skills throughout the process. “They care for and keep records for a whole year for this competition. The show at the fair is the culmination of their projects.”
The 4-H event ends with an auction, where Cole said, “A lot of the buyers come to support the kids. They buy the animals and donate the meat to food banks and organizations that have a need.”
Kendahl Brown started out showing rabbits and guinea pigs, and for the past four years the 11-year-old has been showing pigs, including this year’s 281-pound hog, Pinky. She said she might one day try raising a steer.
A participant as a child and today a parent, Krystal Cominsky showed for 10 years and now was busy getting her 14-month-old son ready for his debut in Peewee Swine Showmanship.
“I loved raising and showing my animals,” said Cominsky, adding she did it for fun but has come to realize just how much she learned from the 4-H Head, Heart, Hands and Health motto.
While the Firefighters’ Association is at the helm, it takes a community effort to make things run smoothly, with more than 100 volunteers from local sports teams, clubs and off-duty firefighters helping out.
“My dad was involved with the fair, and I grew up out here. Now I’m helping run the event and have my boys out here running around too,” shared Steve Graul, the fair’s assistant manager, noting that he expected attendance to exceed 50,000 people.
Proceeds support the Indian River County Burn Fund, which provides financial assistance to local burn victims during their recovery, just one more way firefighters help residents when tragedy strikes. This year the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Against Poverty and One Blood mobile blood bank also benefited through food drives, a clothing collection and a portion of ticket sales.
