SMETHPORT — Those attending the McKean County Fair on Tuesday night faced a difficult choice at 7 p.m.— whether to attempt to find a seat in the stands for the inaugural side-by-side (UTV) rodeo or wait patiently in the Fran De Lancey Memorial Mini Stage for the talent show.

Folks wait for the talent show to start on the Fran De Lancey Mini Stage Tuesday evening at the McKean County Fair.

The stands filled quickly for the UTV rodeo, while rounds of applause could be heard emanating from the mini stage. The UTV event began with a moving rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” and a brief explanation of the event.

The stands filled quickly shortly before 7 Tuesday night at the McKean County Fair, with individuals excited to watch the first side-by-side, or UTV, rodeo.

Era photo by Daniella Langianese

The woman speaking over the loud speaker explained there would be three different classes of UTVs competing in the event and racers would take their turn individually to race against the clock in an “event typically done on horseback, done on UTV.” Each rider would have to make a specific amount of turns, without tipping their UTV, and return to the start point. The winners completed the course the fastest.

A competitor in the side-by-side rodeo.

An organizer with the event, William Bigley, even hopped on his big blue tractor to showcase how the course would be completed by each driver, eliciting a roar of laughter from the stands.

“We ride,” said Julie Whitter, Stella and Tina Hannahs, when asked what interested them about tonight’s new fair event. 

They explained they were attending the event because their family member was participating. Tina Hannahs explained that this would be their family member’s second time competing in a UTV event, “The first time they participated [in a similar event] was a few weeks ago at the Coast Riders event.” Concerning the event, Whitter added, “I’ve never even heard of one.” 

A young family arrived early, and waited patiently in the stadium’s stands for the first side-by-side, or UTV, rodeo at the McKean County Fair on Tuesday night.

Era photo by Daniella Langianese

For those individuals who might have missed Tuesday night’s UTV rodeo or the talent show there are still plenty of family-friendly events left on the fair’s schedule, including the Livestock Sale which begins at 6 p.m. tonight, followed by the Tractor Pull at 7 o’clock and the Barn Dance with DJ McDeejay from 9 to 11 p.m.

On Friday, which is Farm Safety and Save-A-Lot Family Day at the fair, the Touch-A-Truck event is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. The carnival will be open from 1 to 10 p.m. The Queen’s Coronation will be held at 6 p.m. followed by the Enduro Race at 7 and a performance from singer Julia Neville from 9 to 11 p.m.

This year’s McKean County Fair will end Saturday with fire department demonstrations from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The carnival will be open from noon until 10 p.m. A karaoke contest will be held at 1 p.m. followed by the Artisan Alley Auction at 2:30 p.m. Later in the evening, beginning at 6, will be the Demolition Derby followed by entertainment from Acoustic Alias and Julia Neville from 8 to 11 p.m. Exhibit removal will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday night.

For more information about the McKean County Fair visit mckeancountyfair.net.