At Forrester Farm Equipment, there are about six people who think they are the best operator, Forrester said, so the contest is a hot topic before and after the fair. Forrester used to compete, but said he's now a judge.
To go through the obstacle course, Forrester said, drivers must steer around cones, make a 360-degree turn, pick a basketball off a traffic cone and drop it over a fence into a 55-gallon drum, and scoop up a 75-pound truck tire, traverse rough terrain and drop the tire on another spot.
Less than three minutes would be a good time, he said.
Whomever completes the course the quickest wins. The prize is only $30, Forrester said, but the real prize is bragging about being the best.
The fair at the Chambersburg Rod & Gun Club grounds starts Sunday, Aug. 16, and continues through Saturday, Aug. 22. Entertainment highlights include tractor and truck pulls, a demolition derby, talent and karaoke contests, and concerts.
New this year are a chili cook-off on Saturday, Aug. 22, and a photo contest, in which the winner will receive a $500 digital camera, said Robert Eckstine, fair chairman. For a small fee, the public can judge the chili between 6 and 7 p.m.
Eckstine is hoping for good weather and crowds like last year. It didn't rain one night last year, and the fair sold around 19,000 tickets, he said.
If you go ...
WHAT: Franklin County Fair
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 16, to Saturday, Aug. 22
WHERE: Chambersburg (Pa.) Rod & Gun Club, 3725 Warm Spring Road, eight miles southwest of Chambersburg, Pa.
COST: Admission varies; $3 to $8 depending on age and day. Carnival rides Monday through Saturday, extra charge.
MORE: Call 717-369-4100 during fair week or go to www.franklincountyfair.org.
If you go ...
WHAT: Fulton County Fair
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 16, to Saturday, Aug. 22
WHERE: Fulton County Fairgrounds, 888 Lincoln Way East, 1/2 mile east of McConnellsburg, Pa.
COST: On Sunday, Aug. 16, admission is free. Other days: Children younger than 2 admitted free (no rides included). Ages 2 and older, $6 without carnival rides or $8 with carnival rides.
CONTACT: Call the fair office, 717-485-5730, starting Sunday.
Schedule highlights
Franklin County fair
Sunday, Aug. 16
6:30 p.m. - The Gospel Travelers perform at vespers service
Monday, Aug. 17
5:30 p.m. - Franklin County Fair Little Miss contest
7 p.m. - Franklin County Fair Princess contest
7:30 p.m. - Horse pull
8:30 p.m. - Franklin County Fair Queen contest
Tuesday, Aug. 18
7 p.m. - Karaoke contests. Sign-in, 6:15 p.m.
7 p.m. - Skid-steer operators rodeo
Wednesday, Aug. 19
7 p.m. - Talent contest. Check-in, 6:15 p.m.
7 p.m. - Truck and tractor pull
Thursday, Aug. 20
7 p.m. - Garden tractor pull
Friday, Aug. 21
7 p.m. - Truck and tractor pull
7 and 8:30 p.m. - Whirly Birds square-dancing exhibition
Saturday, Aug. 22
7 and 8:30 p.m. - The Bumbaugh Family sings gospel
8 p.m. - J&J Demolition Derby
Fulton County fair
Sunday, Aug. 16
8 p.m. - Fulton County Fair Queen pageant
Monday, Aug. 17
7:30 p.m. - Compact car demo derby
Tuesday, Aug. 18
5:30 p.m. - Little Miss Fair Queen contest
7 p.m. - Classic tractor and mini-modified truck pull
Wednesday, Aug. 19
7:30 p.m. - Full-size car demo derby
Thursday, Aug. 20
7 p.m. - ATV dirt drag races
Friday, Aug. 21
7 p.m. - Lawn mower racing, modified and stock models
9:30 p.m. - Fireworks
Saturday, Aug. 22
7 p.m. - 4-by-4 truck pull
8 p.m. - Teen dance
