Monningers continue family tradition of county fair entries
By KAREN BITNER Echo Pilot

Maria and Rachel Monninger get a head start on preparations for thier baking entries into the Franklin County Fair, which runs from Sunday, Aug. 19 to Saturday, Aug. 25.

The Franklin County Fair was still a week away this past Monday afternoon, but Maria Monninger's home on Preston Lane in Antrim Township was already filled with delicious smells as she and daughter Rachel, 10, began to get ready to enter baked goods in the fair. "It's practice," Maria Monninger explained. "Usually before the fair we're making a cake a week."

The fair opens Sunday, Aug. 19 with the youth horse show and continues through Saturday night, Aug. 25 at the Chambersburg Rod and Gun Club on the Warm Spring Road near Williamson. A complete fair schedule is available by going to www.franklincountyfair. org

Tasty entries Monninger said she will be entering the angel food, apple pie, and Hershey's Cocoa Classic cake baking contest, while her daughter will be entering the Hershey's Cocoa Classic cookie, brownie or bar contest, limited to contestants between ages 8 and 18. Rules for the contests require specific ingredients: at least 1/2 cup of Hershey's cocoa must be used in the cake and in the brownies, bars or cookies, although a rule change this year also allows contestants to use Hershey's, Reese's or Heath brand candy, chocolate, flavored baking chips or peanut products.

The angel food cake contest rules recommend the use of Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program eggs in the cake. Apple pies entered in the fair must contain at least 60 percent apples.

Family affair

Monninger said her family has a long-standing tradition of entering baked items in the fair. "I've been entering since 2001," she said. "My one sister has been entering for 20 years, and my Mom for 16. We've got this friendly competition going on," she laughed. "It makes it interesting. One year the three of us lined up with first, second and third prize for pound cake."

Son Andrew, 12, and 16- year-old daughter Jessica are also interested in the fair, although Monninger noted that her son doesn't usually enter items in the fair. "He'd rather eat the leftovers," she smiled. Her husband, Keith, is supportive of her efforts and enjoys cooking himself, having once worked in a restaurant, but he leaves the fair entries to her and the girls, she noted, adding that he enjoys the leftovers too.

For the experience

Besides baked items, Monninger is planning on entering a decorated basket. Rachel will be entering the painting and decorated pumpkin contests. The family plans to take their entries up next Monday. "The judging is Monday night or Tuesday," she explained. "We'll get the results Tuesday evening."

Monninger said she plans to enter about six or eight entries in all. "This is nothing compared to some years," she said. "I've had all-nighters before. This is actually a minimal year."

Rachel said she is excited about the contest and is already planning even more entries for next year. Maria Monninger pointed out that her daughter is already carrying on a family tradition begun by her mother, Joan Young. "My mom, all she ever did was bake when I was growing up," she said.

Monninger said that for Rachel and her, sharing their kitchen creativity at the county fair is all about having fun. "Financially it's not worth it," she noted, adding that the prizes sometimes don't cover the cost of ingredients. "We're doing it for the fun of doing it."

Highlights

This year's fair will offer its traditional fare with food, rides, animal shows and more. One admission fee change this year is a car load special day on Tuesday, Aug. 21 when it will be Forrester Farm Equipment Day at the Fair. The entertainment that evening will be Michael Peterson.

The fair queen and little miss contests will be Monday evening. A listing of contestants is included on Page A-8. The 33rd annual Vesper Service is set for 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Saturday is a special Family Fun Day at the fair with free gate admission until 1:30 p.m. The day will feature the Barnyard Olympics and the youth safe tractor contest.