Demolition Derby

charlestown@herald-mail.com LEETOWN, W.Va. - Jefferson County Fair fans who were lucky enough to get some time away from work Monday afternoon were in for a relaxing time at the beef judging contest. It was practically perfect fair weather. The sun was out, but not overbearing, and a cool, shady seat could be found in the barn for the Beef Showmanship and Judging. The event was a culmination of months spent raising beef cattle. Youths like 15-year-old Warren Cogle often juggle school work with the responsibilities of raising livestock.

1. Fun for the family Berkeley County Youth Fair kicks off Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Berkeley County Youth Fair Grounds, off Golf Course Road, Martinsburg, W.Va. Amusements and entertainment, including truck and tractor pull, 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, Monday, Aug. 6, and Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the track area; entertainment by David Nail, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, amphitheater; bull riding, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, track area; demolition derby, figure eight derby and flat track enduro, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, and Saturday, Aug. 11. For admission fees, go to www.berkeleycountyyouthfair.org . 2. In memory of Tyler Tyler Trot 5K walk and run will be Saturday, Aug. 4, at Antietam National Battlefield, 5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg.

138th Great Frederick Fair By KATE COLEMAN / Staff Writer The 138th Great Frederick Fair, Friday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Sept. 23, is boasting "64 acres of pure fun and excitement. " There will be plenty of country music, too. Mark Wills, Jo Dee Messina, Sawyer Brown and Kenny Chesney are on the bill. continued Country music legend Loretta Lynn will perform Friday, Sept. 22, and George Jones, another icon of the genre, will close the week with a concert Saturday, Sept.

LEETOWN, W.Va. -- The fourth time was the charm. In her fourth year showing a steer at the Jefferson County Fair and fourth time competing in the fair queen pageant, 18-year-old Natasha Dawson-Kable of Charles Town won the title of Miss Jefferson County Fair 2009. And while Rocky, her 1,238-pound Angus cross bovine, finished third in the market steer division and fifth in showmanship Monday, the longtime 4-H'er still has a chance to snag another big ribbon today with her 247-pound Hampshire cross hog, Spammy.

High-flying motocross riders and jet-powered ATVs are joining the entertainment options at this year's Washington County Ag Expo & Fair. Mike Vaters, who drives the Black Stallion monster truck, is bringing his Vaters Motorsport Thrill Show to the fair and to his home county for the first time. The Ag Expo & Fair begins Friday and runs through Thursday, July 23, the night of Vaters' show. Four motocross riders will compete in freestyle motocross, doing jumps and tricks as they compete against one another, said Vaters, who lives in the Downsville area.

charlestown@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - The arrest of a Shepherdstown, W.Va., woman at the Jefferson County Fair last month might have outraged some people, but Jefferson County Sheriff Everett "Ed" Boober has concluded there was no wrongdoing in the incident. After investigating the arrest of Lissa Brown Janssen, Boober said in a letter to Shepherdstown Mayor Peter Wilson that all the police officers involved in the Aug. 23 arrest during a demolition derby "performed in accordance with their trainings.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- Professional basketball player Shaquille O'Neal can make a free throw about half the time. During a free throw, there are no opposing players blocking the shot and the shot is made with the hands. Now imagine trying to drop a basketball in a 55-gallon drum using the wide bucket on a 5,500-pound skid loader. A skid loader is a small vehicle with a bucket attachment to carry dirt, gravel or similar loads. For the average person, the first obstacle would be figuring out how to operate a skid loader.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - For 10-year-old Tristen Schuster, it was all about recycling. The Martinsburg boy has been collecting items like strings out of socks, feathers and LEGO pieces, and crafting his own fishing flies. "It's not as easy as it looks," the home-schooled Schuster said as he showed his finely detailed fishing lures. Schuster said he has always liked fishing, and with his new interest in fly-tying, he has become the youngest member of an association dedicated to the craft.

Bull riding is back at the Washington County Ag Expo & Fair. Young spectators will have more than a chance to watch riders get thrown from bulls - or stay on for eight seconds, which is the actual goal. This year youths have a chance to participate in their own wild ride by trying to ride a sheep for six seconds. And everyone can watch some professionals as they sit at a poker table in the arena while a bull is let loose, trying to be the brave soul who remains in his seat the longest.

FRANKLIN COUNTY FAIR The 2003 Franklin County Fair continues today with admission of $4 for adults, $3 for children and free for all children less than 3 feet tall. Today 4 p.m. - Youth rabbit show 6 p.m. - 4-H rabbit showmanship 6:30 p.m. - Little Miss Contest 7 to 10 p.m. - Ride all night for $7 7:30 p.m. - Horse pull in the arena 8 p.m. - Miss Franklin County Fair Queen Contest 8 p.m. - 4-H and FFA Dairy Judging Tuesday, Aug. 19 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Judging of exhibits in all areas.