CANFIELD, Ohio – Jenna Cintavey has played some excitable characters on local stages.
But she wasn’t acting when she let out an exultant shout at the Canfield Fair on Wednesday morning after realizing she won first place in the Dress-A-Pumpkin contest.
The Youngstown resident – who is a veteran of the local community theater scene – received the blue ribbon for her piece, “Operation: Skill Game.”
She found out when she checked out the display of contest entries in the pumpkin building.
“That’s the only way to find out,” Cintavey said, explaining the judges do not let the winners know in advance.
The Dress-A-Pumpkin contest is one of many at the fair that involve gigantic or oddly shaped gourds, vegetables and other things that grow.
It might be the most popular contest of them all, because it garners very amusing entries.
The contestants must create sculptures using nothing but pumpkins and gourds. They can paint them, which Cintavey did, but the pumpkins cannot be cut or punctured.
For her piece, Cintavey recreated the board from the children’s game “Operation.” It showed the “patient” on the operating table, with his troubled parts labeled for the doctor to remove – just like in the game.
Her victory was five years in the making; that’s how long she has been entering the contest.
“I have won second place, third place and fourth place before, but never first place,” said the jubilant Cintavey. “I’ve been chasing this for five years, and I’m really excited! I know, I’m a nerd, it’s fine, you can laugh at me!”
Cintavey has appeared in many musicals and plays in the Valley over the years. She most recently appeared in Kent State-Trumbull campus theater’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show.”
THE ROOST
The Canfield Fair opened on Wednesday morning and will run through Monday.
The weather was exceedingly hot and muggy on opening day, which was not great for most food vendors.
But it was a boost for the fair’s new beer garden.
At least a hundred visitors had stopped in by noon, said Laurie Applegarth, who is operating the space dubbed The Roost.
Located near the Gate 5 entrance, The Roost has a large tent, under which folks were taking a break from the sun. There is seating there for at least 100 people and standing room for plenty more.
Applegarth was tending bar from The Vintage Saloon, an old farm truck that she retrofitted with a refrigerated area and a wall of beer taps. It’s the centerpiece of her mobile bar business and is often rented out for wedding receptions and parties.
The Roost is surrounded by metal barriers, and alcoholic beverages (beer and wine) must be consumed within the site.
THE ROOSTER
The Rooster is the official mascot of the Canfield Fair, and he has some big news: He’s getting married.
His bride is Grace, who is new to the fair this year.
Grace got her name as a tribute to Grace Williams, a past executive secretary of the fair. In 1962, Williams came up with the idea of having a rooster as the fair’s mascot. She also coined the fair’s catchphrase, “Something to crow about.”
The wedding ceremony for The Rooster and his beloved chicken will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday in the gazebo at Western Reserve Village at the fairgrounds. The reception will follow it near the Big Rock.
Some well-known Valley mascots will show up for the celebration, including Youngstown State University’s Pete the Penguin. Companies or organizations that want their own mascot to take part in the fun are asked to email marketing@canfieldfair.com, says fair spokesperson Bergen Giordani.
Both The Rooster and Grace will look their best, thanks to their new outfits. They now don soft-cloth sculptured costumes.
The Rooster’s old look – an 8-foot tall inflatable get-up that was hard to walk around in – has been scrapped.
APPAREL
The Rooster also looks great on the new line of T-shirts on sale at the fair this year.
GV Art + Design of Cleveland has developed an array of shirts with eyecatching art.
One of the most popular ones is “Neon,” which features The Rooster done up as a neon sign, says Jen Harp, who works for the company.
“Our designers treat the T-shirts like a canvas, because they are artists first,” Harp said. “They design it like a piece of art, and then put it on a shirt. And they like to include hidden elements to really capture the design.”
GV was founded by George Vlosich Jr., and his sons, George III and Greg.
George Jr. had been working in advertising as an art director. When he recognized his son’s talents, he helped develop their skills.
George III is known as the world’s best Etch a Sketch artist. He has been featured on more than a dozen television shows, including several national ones. Check out his skills in this video.
George III will be at The Chalet – the official merchandise shop at the fairgrounds, near The Rock – at 11 a.m. today (Thursday), with his Etch a Sketch and art.
DOLLY PARTON
Another T-shirt design getting a lot of attention at this year’s fair depicts the late Dolly Parton, the legendary country music singer, songwriter and actor who died Aug. 25.
The jerseys were in strong demand at James Heade’s vendor booth. “People are noticing them,” he said.
Heade, of Ashtabula, said his company is always quick to create apparel that salutes iconic entertainers, sports teams, and events that are in the public eye.
Pictured at top: Jenna Cintavey, winner of first place in the Design-A-Pumpkin contest.