By Mary O’KEEFE

The fifth Annual Hometown Country Fair will be held at Crescenta Valley Park this Saturday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event harkens back to old time country fairs with arts and crafts exhibits, rides and, of course, pie baking and eating contests. As for the weather? “We have ordered sunshine,” said Jean Maluccio, president of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The CV Chamber and Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation sponsor the event. The fair has had a memorable weather history that included a year of extreme heat and a year that the sky opened up and almost drowned everyone.  Through it all the volunteers and vendors continued to come back because despite the weather the day is filled with real community fun.
“And this year is bigger than [last year]. We have more vendors than ever before, continuous entertainment and a dog parade [for which a lot of] applications have already been turned into the chamber,” Maluccio said.
This year will be the first “pie event” at the Hometown Country Fair. It is a combination of two competitions, according to organizer Lynn Mc Ginnis.
For the pie baking contest pies are to be turned in by 11 a.m. on Saturday at the pie booth area. There are two divisions for bakers: youth, 18 years old and under, and adult. Their pies will be judged in appearance, crust and taste. The judges will have an hour to choose the best pie.
While the judges are judging the best baked pie, other contestants will face each other on the eating dais.
A member of the CV Chamber of Commerce must sponsor contestants who want to enter the pie-eating contest.
In addition to the great hamburgers and hot dogs available for purchase, this year a Korean barbeque booth will be included.
The dog parade is already one of the more popular events, judging by the number of applications already submitted. Dog parents are invited to enter their cutest, most obedient, best smiler, best tail wagger and best licker.
Games will include an obstacle course, races, a climbing wall and a bungee trampoline. Continuing this year will also be the Classic Car Show.
The proceeds go toward the Chamber’s philanthropic outreach efforts including scholarships for local students. To help in the fundraising efforts a silent auction will offer a variety of donated items including a three-month membership at the Crescenta Cañada YMCA, six weeks at Extreme Boot Camp, one year free service from Allied Waste Services, a fixed wing airplane flight courtesy Leo’s All-Star Sports Bar and Grill, two rounds of golf with cart at the Angeles National Golf Club, a Merle Norman gift basket, four free acting classes from 3-2-1 Talent Showcase Acting Studios and a helicopter ride from Steve and Robin Goldsworthy.
Anyone who would like information about the fair can contact the Chamber at (818) 248-4957. Organizers are still looking for contestants for the pie-baking contest. For information or an application contact the Chamber or email Lynn Mc Ginnis at mcginnix@aol.com.
The fun continues on Sunday. The carnival rides stay at the park and bands will be playing throughout the day. Like the Hometown Country Fair, admission is free. Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation is sponsoring Sunday’s activities.
Crescenta Valley Park is located at 3901 Dunsmore Ave. at Honolulu Avenue.