The place to go for simple pleasures and family fun in Bradford
the weekend of Aug. 26 and 27 will be the 27th annual Crook Farm
Country Fair on Seaward Avenue.

Beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting to 5 p.m. both days, guests of
the farm festivities will be able to not only to enjoy the 1850 to
1870s setting at Crook Farm, but watch as Bucktail Regiment Civil
War re-enactors demonstrate their equipment. They will also be able
to hear music from the same time period and peruse the many
vendors’ tables that will be on hand.

The farm has a history stretching to a time before oil was
discovered in the Bradford area. In fact, the first 100
barrel-a-day gusher – in or near Bradfordð- was drilled on the
Crook Farm grounds. The well has been called “The Olmstead Well”
after John Olmstead leased the land from Erastus Crook in 1875 to
drill for oil.

Guided tours of the farm buildings will be held each day from 1
to 2 p.m., which include a bank, school house and a blacksmith
shop. During the tour of the house, visitors will be told of the
historical significance of the Crook family.

A corn husking contest will be available for children under the
age of 12. Children will have a certain amount of minutes to shuck
as many ears of corn they can within the amount of time provided.
The event will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. both days.

Other children’s entertainment include a petting zoo, pony
rides, face painting and kids games. A storyteller will be in the
school building at noon on Aug. 27.

Demonstrations of quilting, chair caning, weaving, spinning,
blacksmithing and juggling will also be available.

For next year’s fair, event planners are looking for more
artisans who can demonstrate traditional wares, including leather
working, carving or sculpting.

The Church Street Blues Band will be featured in the
entertainment tent from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 26. The Doerfel Family
will take that stage from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 27.

Both days include an old-time round and square dance starting at
1:30 p.m. with caller Keith Blackmon, who has more than 60 years
experience calling dances. Everyone attending is invited to
participate in the dancing, but no experience is necessary. The
dances will continue for about 45 minutes a session.

Curt Osgood and Annie Simpson will be in the old school house
entertaining guests. Times for their performances will be posted at
the fair.

A jam tent will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 26 and from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 27 for those who would like to bring an
instrument and their voices to add to the festivities. Music
performed depends on those on hand – it might include blue grass,
folk or country.

Music for Aug. 27 includes the Sunday Morning Harmony who will
be performing bluegrass gospel from 11 a.m. to noon.

The Allegheny Mountain Players, Lucinder Durkee and Clark Parry
will have a dulcimer exhibit at the fair and will be offering a
learning demonstration as well.

There will be wandering musicians placed all around the fair and
booths both days. Kate and Andrew Scanlan, local Irish Step
dancers, will also be on hand performing Aug. 26.

A Bucktail Regiment of Civil War re-enactors will be camping at
the Crook Farm site all weekend. Howard Blumenthal and Ed Hanson
will accompany them, playing music from that time period.

The food tent opens at noon with traditional foods such as
roasted corn, salt potatoes, funnel cakes, ice cream and popcorn
offered. Hamburgers, hot dogs, fruit and soft drinks will also be
available.

On Aug. 26, a chicken or rib barbecue will be available from
noon to 4 p.m. On Aug. 27, offers a country breakfast from 10 a.m.
to noon which includes sausage, pancakes, eggs and drinks.

Also on Aug. 27, an apple pie contest will be held in the bank
building at 1 p.m. A chance to win craft items will be held as well
at 3 p.m. that day.

Craft vendors include those with homemade soups, lotions and
creams, jewelry, lamps and candleholders, ornamental lawn stones
and unique woodturnings. Many other items will be on hand as
well.

The fair is put on by the Bradford Landmark Society and is one
of its biggest fundraisers.