Fryeburg
fairgrounds began to flood with over two thousand people around seven
in the morning. The air was brisk. Horses breath was fogging out of
their mouths tails swishing. The smell of diesel fills the air, with the
sounds of the swines grunting and groaning.
On
the far left on the fairgrounds a young man named Tommy Kimball
prepares his high maintenance cow is being prepared for a show for the
4-H club. Kimball all dressed in his black slacks and white shirt walks
the cow around the arena keeping his strides in line with his. Hitting
the knees to make him back up and whistling and making other calls for
the cow to respond and go to the left and the right. The stocky legs
move in sync with such ease. Kimball's heart thumping along with
everyone else. He has been in the Fryburg fair showing his cows for many
years. Many medals were won today and many prizes were received.
Later
on in the day by the pulling arena pulling horses are rearing to go.
The stands filled to watch these amazing animals can pull over ten
thousand pounds. Jake Bauleau the owner of two Clydesdale horses gets
the halters on them to pulls. "It's an amazing feeling knowing that the
horses you raised since they were babies can do such a magnificent
thing," Bauleau said. His rein man stands to the right of him with a
whip in hand. "I don't like whipping them it isn't fun, but it makes it a
safer inviorment for everyone near the ring," says the rein man. Over
all Bauleau won 3 first medals with his two pulling horses, and he is
very proud of him horses and his teammate.
Over
to the race track horses are lining up with their jockeys. The pure
muscle warming up along with the long anticipation. The jockeys saddling
for the harness race and getting the horses ready. Horses kicking while
the jockeys pull on the reines. The bells ring. The gates open. Away
they go around the dirt track. People standing on their feet yelling and
chanting for their favorite jockey and horse. Money is on the line and
no one wants to lose. Side by side they race down the backstretch of the
track. They only have a one lap for this race. Not a lot of room to
make an error.
The
jockeys yelling at the horses whipping them to make them go faster.
Around they come the last turn two jockeys in front. Jockeys screaming,
fans jumping and yelling with anticipation. The winner came down to a
photo finish. The owner Jimmy Casey won a thousand bucks from just one
lap of racing. “Its so much fun watching the speed of the horses and how
amazing my jockey is,” Casey said. Casey is now retiring that horse
considering his is 9 years old and horses that run shouldn’t race after
the age of 7. “This was a great way to end Calistines (the horse)
career. Now he is going to a therapeutic horse clinic where I know he is
going to be well taken care of,” Casey also said. The horses now walk of
the track after being warmed down so their muscles don’t spasm. Overall
it was a great time for Casey and his jockey and Calistine.
In
the middle of the arena trucks are pulling in. Not just an ordinary
truck but pulling trucks. Pulling trucks have over sized engines and
amazing pulling torque. Engines are firing up. All you can smells is the
diesel fuel in the air and you eardrums are rattling within our ears.
Everyone flood to the stadium and the pits where the trucks begin to
fire up their engines. The long awaited Pelletiers arrive. The
Pelletiers brought a diesel truck into the arena. Jeff Pelletier was
there to show off their truck.
The
hooked the truck up. The engine rived at high intensity. Gas being
pushed down the truck began to move forward and pull the pulling
machine. The crowd was loud and anxious to see how far he has pulled.
Before the pull began Pelletier said, “Last year we pulled a pretty good
distance, but this year I would like to pull further.” The louder the
crowd got the further it meant that the truck went. In the end Pelletier
didn’t pull his absolute best. “Next year is always another year and I
will be back with most likely my cousins. Only in Maine is where you get
big trucks, country hicks, and good fair food. Of course i’ll be back
because we are going to improve the truck and make it ten times better
then it is now.
Now
the gates are closing. The lights of the Fairis wheel begins to click
off light by light. The horses are sleeping, the people are leaving. Yet
again another year has passed. Fryeburg fair allowed many memories to
be made and shared. Next year around the same time the gates will open
again saying hello to friends and company for another arousing go.
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