By Mary O’KEEFE

The annual Hometown Country Fair was held on Saturday, a success despite the winds that preceded the event.

“I think it went well under the circumstances,” said Kaipo Chock, president of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, the organizer of the event.

The circumstances that Chock spoke of were the strong winds that occurred the night before and blew into the morning.

“When I got there at 6 a.m. it was a disaster,” Chock said of CV Park, where the fair was held.

On the way to the fair he saw several trees that had blown down in local neighborhoods. Chock received a call from a volunteer who said he would be late because he was stuck in his driveway due to a fallen tree that had blocked his exit.

“And about 8:30 [a.m.] the tree fell in the park,” he added.

A large tree split and fell in CV Park near the kitchen and picnic area. Chock and the Fair committee were entertaining the thought of canceling the event due to the wind. They contacted NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and found the winds were to subside around 11 a.m., so they decided to go on with the event.

The winds did calm down and the weather was perfect for the fair; however, Chock feels attendance was down due to the winds and its aftermath.

The park was filled with colorful booths and stage performances entertained the audience all day long emceed for most of the day by Rik Middleton. The national anthem was performed by Mountain Avenue Elementary student Malia Chock followed by “America the Beautiful” sung by CV High School Charismatic member Annie Blood.

The schools continued to support the entertainment with the Rosemont Middle School Jazz Band, led by Rod Yonkers, and the award-winning CVHS Jazz Band led by Mathew Schick. La Cañada High School students from the Korean student group “Drum Beat” and K-Pop Dance performed as well.

Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Choir, the Hiza Yoo’s Korean Dance Institute and the Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School Choir gave the audience a glimpse of the diverse talents that are part of the CV area.

There were bands including the Woodward Avenue Blues Band, Faith Alone Band and guitarist Mark Achuff that brought a variety of music to the fair. As in the past, The Martial Way students amazed the audience with their martial arts skills.

The traditional dog parade and pie-eating contest, sponsored by Albertsons, added the real “home town” feel of the fair. Katie Blood, who competed against her brothers and sisters, won the pie-eating contest. A highlight of the day was when State Senator Anthony Portantino presented the chamber with a certificate of recognition for its contributions to the community.

The wind stayed calm, though there were a few gusts that lifted pop-ups, but for the most part the day was calm, fun and filled with music.

  Charly Shelton, Mary Okeefe