Another Winner for the America’s Fair 18^th International Woodcarving Exhibit

America’s Fair held in Hamburg, New York puts on a great woodcarving show, thanks to the great job done by the Southtowns Woodcarvers.  With twelve days of showing and 12 hours a day, the fair traffic through the Woodcarver’s building never ends.  Averaging over 3000 people a day, that adds up to over 36,000 viewers who come in to admire the great wood carvings and burnings.  This year Peggy Crissman, Chairwoman, Pepper Weinheimer, Co-Chairman, and Kathleen Joseph, Secretary, coordinated the show and did a great job of keeping everything going smoothly.  With demonstrators and security needed for 3 shifts of 4 hours a day, this was not an easy task.  A special thanks also goes out to Burt Jones and all the volunteers who accepted entries prior to the start of the fair. 
Great weather in 2007 has allowed "America's Fair" to rank among the largest County Fairs in the nation.  With close to 1,000,000 in attendance, this makes for great exposure for Woodcarving.  This year over 500 entries needed to be judged in 35 Open woodcarving classes, 4 Open roughout classes, 8 Open woodburning classes, as well as Intermediate and Novice classes. In the Open Woodcarving Class, blue ribbons fetch $50, reds get $30, and yellows $20.
This year’s Merit Awards went to David Notto (2), Everett Scudder, Robert Stadtlander (4), and Ray Zeigler.

Best of Show in the Open Division was awarded to Ted Dubay, 2nd Best of Show was awarded to Dave Notto, and the Agricultural Prize was awarded to Charlie Hunt.

Robert Stadtlander garnished the Best of Show in the Roughout Division.  In the Intermediate Class, Paul Klonowski won Best of Show and Marcy Kamery was awarded Second Best of Show.  Benjamin Stevens took the Best in the Novice Class and Angela Callahan won Second Best of Show.

Best of Show in the Woodburning Division went to Carol Maltby.

This whole process is a huge undertaking and the members of Southtowns Woodcarvers should be proud of their accomplishments.  Thanks go out to all who participated and helped out.  Our sponsors included Niagara Frontier Woodcarvers, Niagara Lumber, Steve Baldo Auto Dealerships, Wellsville Whittlers, Gernatt Asphalt Products, Ilio di Paolo’s Restaurant, Dietrick’s Custom Cabinets, Cal’s Vending, Dutch Mill Restaurant and Liberty Woodcraft.
The wonder of the Fair is best expressed by pie eyes of the youngsters as they come in and amazed at the wooden horses, dogs, cowboys, wolves, fish, and birds galore.  We hope to see everyone back in 2008.