Jun 23, 2014 2 min read

WIND RIDGE – The 149th annual Jacktown Fair will kick off with the Jacktown Fair parade at 6:30 p.m. July 15 in Wind Ridge. The theme for this year’s parade is “Treasure the Memories.”

The fair, which will run July 15 through July 19, is sponsored by the Richhill Agricultural Society, which was organized July 6, 1866.

Fair week will begin with a worship service at 10 a.m. July 13 at the fairgrounds. Everyone is urged to come to be a part of the nation’s oldest continuous fair and to participate in the annual parade.

The grand marshals of the parade will be Michaela Hildreth, the 18-year-old daughter of Bill and Sharon Hildreth of Nineveh, who is the reigning 2013 Jacktown Fair queen; and Emily Cooke, the 11-year-old daughter of Karl Cooke of Waynesburg and Katie Cooke of Holbrook, who is the reigning 2013 Jacktown Fair princess.

All contestants vying for this year’s fair queen and fair princess titles will also be in the parade.

The winning queen will go on to compete in the state fair queen contest in January. In addition, state and local dignitaries have been invited to participate in this year’s parade.

Prizes of $100, $75, $50 and $25 will be awarded to winning parade entries that are based on this year’s theme. Float entries will be judged on their attractiveness, design, workmanship, use of the theme, originality and other elements.

Anyone wishing to enter a float or a parade entry corresponding to this year’s theme is encouraged to apply.

The Jacktown Fair Board invites all interested churches, groups, organizations and individuals to participate in the parade.

Those who have an interesting, entertaining, showy or unusual item also will be welcomed.

The board is also interested in having antique and classic cars, clowns, fire equipment, horses and other regional and local queens and princesses participate in the parade.

Those wishing to enter the parade should contact Marcia Sonneborn, parade chairwoman, as soon possible, so the parade’s line can be constructed. The date of entry will be taken into consideration when forming the parade line.

To participate in the parade or for further information about the parade, call Sonneborn at 724-428-4344 or email marciasonne@windstream.net.