By Marissa GOULD, intern

The Hometown Country Fair, sponsored by the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, was held on April 5 at Crescenta Valley Park. Like every country fair, the event had something for everyone, both young and old, with two or four feet.

One of the more popular events was a car show representing countless makes and models. These classic cars were buffed and shined to perfection ready for the stream of people who stopped by to check them out. To further celebrate the foothills’ car culture, an open forum was held for car lovers in the Community Center at Crescenta Valley Park.

The Early Rodders car club hosted the forum. The Early Rodders is a car club that gathers every Saturday in the United Artists parking lot in La Cañada from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome to come and see the cars on display and ask the proud owners questions about their pride and joy.

At the Hometown Country Fair, a panel of four transportation specialists spoke to a standing room only audience about a variety of car-related subjects. The panel consisted of Ron Main, land speed racer in Bonneville, Dave McClelland, La Crescenta’s voice of drag racing, Frank Aldana, crew chief and funny car racer, and Steward Reed, chair of Transportation Design at Art Center College of Design.

Anything car related was up for discussion. Many asked about Main’s conservation efforts for the salt flats in Bonneville, Utah and how that affects the land racing there. Some in the audience wanted to know about how to build the perfect car for land speed racing. Others asked about McClelland’s experiences as a drag race announcer. Aldana talked about working as a crew chief and how people prepare in order to win. Reed talked about how students at Art Center design the vehicles that are sometimes described as “blue sky concepts.”

One of the hottest topics was how to get the younger generation interested in cars and auto mechanics. Reed talked about the lack of shop classes available in high schools as being a challenge to introducing the younger generation to the mechanics of automobiles.

“Start introducing them to cars when they are young and they’ll love cars for the rest of their life,” McClelland advised.

But the fair was not just about cars; there were carnival rides, booths with items to buy and entertainment. Rosemont Middle School was well represented with their jazz band, conducted by music director Ron Yonkers, and the school’s cheer team. During the day, singers, bands and actors performed for the crowd. There was even a karate demonstration.

The Wildlife Waystation was represented, bringing snakes, llamas and birds for the crowd to enjoy.

A highlight of the day was the dog parade. Chamber board director JD Speas of Crescenta Cañada Pet Hospital donned a festive hat and led the dogs and their owners for a jaunt around the park.

Another popular event was the pie-eating contest. Some adults, but mainly kids, were eager to dive – face first – into chocolate pudding pies topped with massive amounts of whipped cream

“It was a great time,” said Steve Pierce, president of the CV Chamber. “Lots of smiles on everyone’s faces.”

The fair is one of the chamber’s biggest fundraisers with some of the proceeds being earmarked for the chamber’s scholarship fund.

“It was one of our most successful fairs yet,” Pierce said. “I can’t wait until next year.”

The CV Chamber of Commerce wants to hear how you enjoyed the fair. Send your comments to info@crescentavalleychamber.org or call the chamber office at (818) 248-4957.

  Marissa GOULD, Temoc RAMIREZ