170th Juniata County Fair begins Aug. 31
BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter gwilliams@lewistownsentinel.com
PORT ROYAL – Games and rides, livestock competitions, deep-fried everything, prizes for peppers and historic buildings.
The Juniata County Fair returns for its 170th year, starting on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Juniata County Fairgrounds in Port Royal.
Whether it’s the kids loving it when they get to go on amusement rides or win stuff playing arcade games, or cows, sheep, goats, rabbits and jackalopes being shown – well maybe not jackalopes – the start of another exciting fair is here.
When it comes to food at the fair, remember it’s only eight days long, so it’s OK to take a break from that diet, or indulge in some home-grown produce.
The fair has been here for a long time, so it’s no wonder that some of the activities are housed in venerable structures.
This year’s theme is “Pennsylvania Fairs: Flourishing with Opportunity, Rooted in Agriculture.” Since 1854, the Juniata County Fair has been an agricultural fair, creating educational, social, cultural and economic opportunities for the community that preserve and promote agriculture.
Highlights of this year’s schedule include:
Day 1: Saturday, Aug. 31 Gate opens at 11 a.m., rides open at 2 p.m. and free admission
• 9 a.m. Rabbit Show –Livestock Barn Show Ring
• 12 p.m. Opening Cere-
mony – Free Stage, with national anthem by The Boyz
• 1 p.m. Fair Queen contests
• 4 to 5 p.m. Reminisce –Free Stage
• 4 p.m. Food Auction –Pavilion
• 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Reminisce – Free Stage
• 6 p.m. Floral Halls open
• 6 p.m. 170th Annual Juniata County Fair Opener at Port Royal Speedway
– 21st Annual Late Model Butch Renninger Memorial, 410 Sprints and Limited Late-Models
• 7 p.m. Swine Show –Livestock Barn Show Ring
Day 2: Sunday, Sept. 1 Gate opens at 11 a.m., rides open at 2 p.m. and free admission
• 8 to 8:45 a.m. Cowboy Church with Promise Ranch – Livestock Barn
• 9 a.m. Beef Show –Livestock Barn Show Ring
• 2 p.m. Dairy Show –Livestock Barn Show Ring
• 4 p.m. Church Service –Free Stage
• 5 p.m. Broken Record Band – Free Stage
• 6 p.m. Farm Family of the Year Presentation –Livestock Barn Show Ring
• 6:30 p.m. Dairy Show continued following a break for Farmer of the Year – Livestock Barn Show Ring
• 6:30 p.m. Truck and Tractor Pulls, with Grandstand admission price of $12 for ages 11 to adult and free for ages 10 and under; gates open at 4:30 p.m.
• 7 p.m. Broken Record Band – Free Stage
Day 3: Monday, Sept. 2 –Labor Day Gate opens at 11 a.m., rides open at 2 p.m. and free admission
• 9 a.m. Goat Show –
Livestock Barn Show Ring; Dairy Goats – Ring A, Market Goats – Ring B, Sheep Show – Livestock Barn Show Ring B following the Market Goat Show
• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Hillbilly Diesel – Free Stage
• 12 to 1 p.m. Hillbilly Diesel – Free Stage • 1 p.m. 73rd Annual Foss Jewelers Inc. of Lewistown Labor Day Classic at Port Royal Speedway, 410 Sprints and FWD Four Cylinders
• 2 p.m. Supreme Sportsmanship and Best Dressed Critter Contest – Livestock Barn Show Ring
• 5 to 9 p.m. Cuddle Coral – Upper Fairgrounds
• 6 p.m. Green River –Free Stage
• 7 p.m.
Celebrity Pie
Eating Contest
• 8 p.m. Green iver –Free Stage • 8 p.m. Barn Animals Dismissed (may be earlier)
Day 4: Tuesday, Sept. 3 –Education Night Gate opens at 4 p.m., rides open at 6 p.m. and free admission
• 4 to 8 p.m. Petting Zoo and Pony Rides – Livestock Barn
• 5 to 9 p.m. Cuddle Corral – Upper Fairgrounds
• 6 to 7 p.m. Kids Painting Party – Livestock Barn
• 6 p.m. Why Not Me, tribute to the Judds and Reba McEntire – Free Stage • 6:30 p.m. Kids Face Painting – Livestock Barn
• 6:30 p.m. Flower Arranging for Adults – Livestock Barn
• 7:30 p.m. Bicycle Give-
• 8 p.m. Why Not Me, tribute to the Judds and Reba McEntire – Free Stage
Day 5: Wednesday, Sept. 4 –
Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS
The main food area leading to the driver merchandise trailers at the 2023 Juniata County Fair.
Fair tradition spans generations
BY BRIAN CARSON Sentinel reporter bcarson@lewistownsentinel.com
PORT ROYAL – In the heart of Juniata County lies a tradition that has spanned generations, adapting and evolving with each passing decade.
The Juniata County Fair, established in 1852, stands as evidence of the community’s resilience, adaptability and deep-rooted connection to its agricultural heritage.
The story of the Juniata County Fair began on Feb. 26, 1852, when a group of local citizens organized ed on Dec. 10, 1859, setting the stage for what would become a long-standing annual tradition.
Initially, the fair alternated locations between Perrysville, now known as Port Royal, and Mifagrarian culture that dominated the region at the time.
These early fairs were modest in scope, primarily serving as a showcase for the agricultural community. Farmers from across the county would gather to display their livestock, crops and handmade goods. It was a time for neighbors to exchange knowledge, celebrate their labors, and participate in a variety of competitions that tested their skills and showcased the best of what Juniata County had to offer.
By 1887, it became clear the fair needed a more permanent and spacious home. The original grounds south of Port Royal proved insufgrowing number of participants and visitors.
Consequently, a larger tract of land was purchased to the north of the town. This new location, with ample space for exhibitions, events and attendees, remains the site of the Juniata County Fair to this day.
The relocation marked a fair’s history, allowing it to expand its offerings and attract a larger audience. The larger grounds provided the necessary space for more extensive agricultural displays, additional vendors, and a wider variety of competitions. It also facilitated the construction of new facilities, including a racetrack that would later become central to the fair’s identity.
Over the years, the Juniata County Fair grew alongside the community it served. While agriculture remained at the heart of the fair, other elements er societal changes.
The introduction of weekly automobile racing at the Port Royal Speedway in 1953 marked a sigofferings. The racetrack, originally built for horse racing, became a major draw, bringing in spectators from beyond the county’s borders.
The transition from horse to automobile ractrend within the fair, moving away from its strictly agrarian roots and embracing a more diverse array of entertainment options.
This shift did not occur overnight but gradually expanded as the interests and demographics of the fair’s attendees changed. Despite these changes, the fair maintained a balance, ensuring that the newer attractions never overshadowed its agricultural heritage.
Today, the Juniata County Fair is a blend of old and new, offering a mix of traditional agricultural exhibits and modern entertainment options. The Port Royal Speedway continues to be a central feature, drawing racing enthusiasts from across the region. Yet, the fair also remains a place where local farmers can display their produce and livestock, preserving the event’s original pur-
pose as a celebration of rural life.
The fair’s endurance can be attributed to its ability to adapt while staying true to its roots. Each year, it offers something for everyone, whether it’s the thrill of a car race, the nostalgia of a livestock competition or the simple pleasure of wandering through the food stalls and artisan booths. This adaptability has ensured the fairs’ continued relevance in a rapidly changing world.
The Juniata County Fair has not been without its challenges. The fair was suspended during the Civil War, a somber period when the community’s focus turned to the national crisis. However, this interruption was temporary, and the fair resumed once the war ended, continuing its annual tradition without tion.
Over the years, the fair has faced other challenges as well, including economic downturns and changing social dynamics. Yet, it has always persevered, adjusting its format and offerings to meet the needs of the community. This resilience is a vital part of the fair’s story, illustrating its deep connection to the people of Juniata County.
The Juniata County Fair is more than an event; it is nity’s history, values, and spirit. From its humble beginnings as a small agricultural fair to its current status as a multifaceted event, it has grown and adapted to the times while maintaining its core identity. As the fair continues to develop, it remains a vital part of life in Juniata County, a place where the past and present coexist and where the community gathers to celebrate its heritage.
The history of the Juniata County Fair is a story of tradition, transformation, and perseverance — a story that continues to unfold with each passing year.
Plenty
BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter
PORT ROYAL – What do you get when you mix a little Hillbilly Diesel with some LeadFoot? A whole lot of high-octane music at this year’s 170th Juniata County Fairgrounds.
The live entertainment kicks off on Opening Day at the fair, with Reminisce taking to the Free Stage for a pair of performances.
(The Boyz will be performing this year’s national anthem.)
There’s nightly entertainment all week, concluding with three performances by Modern Outlaws on Saturday – at 2 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. – when the fair wraps up for another season.
Introducing this year’s lineup of performers:
Reminisce 4 and 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 on Free Stage.
Marianne Ioppolo is one cool grandma for knowing the music from the “Trolls” movie, at least in the eyes of her granddaughter.
“She was like, ‘How do you know that song?’” Ioppolo recalled of a conversation with the 8-year-old. Of course, the “Trolls” movie soundtrack included timeless classics like Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September.”
Ioppolo fessed up that
she hadn’t seen the movie, but her band Reminisce performs dance party, oldies, Motown and disco songs. One of those is the aforementioned Earth, Wind and Fire number.
“The music that we do appeals to a broad range of generations,” said Ioppolo, one of the band’s lead singers.
She shares lead with Jeff Falcone, Gordon Geesey and Ron Hoerner, who also plays keyboard. Rounding out the band are John Kricki on guitar, Joe Kuhns on bass and Al Wojciechowski on drums.
The band is celebrating its 10th anniversary and has had mostly the same lineup. “Reminisce existed for a few years before I got involved,” Ioppolo said.
“We all love it. We’re very much like a family.” Based out of the Harrisburg area, the band gravitates more towards performing the oldies.
“We average about two to four jobs a month … sometimes more, sometimes less,” Ioppolo said. “A couple of these guys have been playing together since they were kids. They’re now into their 70s.
“They’ve played together for a very long time,” she added. “Our bass players would play every night if he could.”
Reminisce certainly entertains as “we’re such a fun band,” Ioppolo said. “It’s not uncommon for us to step out into the crowd;
we have a lot of fun.”
Broken Record Band 5 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 on Free Stage.
Josh Imes wasn’t sure what his musical future might hold after members of his old band, Faces 4 Radio, decided it was time to stop making music and retire. That lasted about six months – until they got the musical itch to start playing again.
“So, we reorganized, changed the band name to the Broken Record Band, and started from scratch again,” Imes said. “It’s never easy starting over with a new band, but once word gets out about who you are and what you can do. News travels fast.”
Imes plays banjo in the Broken Record Band, while Steve Symmerman is on rhythm guitar and Kristie Smith plays mandolin. The other members include Kevin Milliken, bass; Ron Colledge, lead guitar; and Kade Berrier, lead guitar.
One of the things that sets the Broken Record Band apart from others is that each member takes a turn singing lead vocals.
Founded in 2019 and based in Juniata County, the Broken River Band is a country and bluegrass band “with a little bit of everything else thrown in there,” Imes joked. That mix happened by accident.
“I like bluegrass and Steve can sing any old country song there is, but after a little while we started playing anything the band members wanted to sing,” Imes explained.
“Soon Kristie was singing Tina Turner, Kevin was doing Chuck Berry, and Ron was bringing some Rolling Stones,” he added. “We will play anything that people will enjoy listening to.”
Within a short time span, the band has played Perry, Cumberland, Dauphin and Franklin counties. However, playing at the Juniata County Fair is very special, like playing in their own backyard.
“Some of us have been playing there for the past 15 years consecutively and amazingly they keep asking us back again,” Imes said. “It’s nice to play at the Juniata County Fair because we get to see all the familiar hometown people that religiously come out to see us when we’re playing locally.”
As a group, the Broken Record Band loves performing bluegrass and classic country music. However, they play any genre of music that “we enjoy ourselves and we hope that the people enjoy it as well,” Imes said. Their musicaling from Bill Monroe and George Jones all the way to Elvis and John Prine.
Hillbilly Diesel 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2 on Free Stage.
A high-energy band that plays a wide variety of classic and modern rock with a twist, Hillbilly Diesel calls the Juniata Valley its home. Founded in 2022, its band members hail counties. Their schedule is getting full, so they make a lot of appearances, including for their community. That responders. Its members include Harry Bleyer, drums; Rod Bryner, lead guitar; James Foltz, bass; Mike Goss, rhythm guitar; and Steve Welshone, vocals.
Green River 6 and 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2 on Free Stage.
The timeless music of Creedence Clearwater Revival has always struck a chord with Rick “Noodles” Horvath,” a successful songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and studio owner who has been working professionally for decades.
Horvath has performed with such rock legends as Foreigner’s Mick Jones, Jimmy Buffett and Davy Jones. He has opened for such acts as The Romantics, Glenn Tilbrook, Todd Rundgren and Colin Hay.
“I always liked Creedence’s music – “Proud Mary” and “Bad Moon Rising” – as a kid,” recalled Horvath, a native of Long
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Island, N.Y. “It was always popular in this area, so it’s been on my radar.”
When Horvath decided to create a new tribute band, he went all-in on CCR. “There weren’t too many other Creedence tribute bands around,” he said. “There were hundreds of bands that played The Beatles and Rolling Stones.”
Thirteen years later, Green River is still rolling along as a national touring tribute band. “It was a good choice,” Horvath added. “I love the music, and we have so much fun performing for people. Everyone has a good time.”
Besides Horvath, the foursome features three Northeast Pennsylvania natives with Tim Theobald on electric and acoustic guitars and vocals; Dave Figura on bass guitar and backup vocals; and Harrison Balthaser on drums and vocals.
Theobald’s dad bought grade. His mom had to pry that guitar out of his bands to get him to the dinner table. There was always music in the house as his mom played piano and his dad loved to listen.
Figura was the son of a drummer and dance teacher. His fate as a musician was inherent. At age 10, he learned the trumpet and, a few years later, started learning the bass, guitar and drums.
Harrison has been playing drums most of his life and played in concert, jazz, pep and marching bands throughout school. He also has his own music and video studio.
Why Not Me 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3 on Free Stage.
A lot of tribute bands focus on the music of one leg-
endary artist, but Rick Bell and wife, Stephanie, wanted to offer the ultimate experience. So “Why Not Me” recreates the favorite songs of three country superstars, Garth Brooks, the Judds and Reba McEntire.
“We started the tribute band at the end of last year, and it’s taken off unbelievably,” said Rick Bell of his band Why Not Me, which is based in Hershey.
“We have lined up shows for next year in different states,” he added. “Garth Brooks is a high-energy show. With the Judds’ stuff, people in the audience are always singing along with the words of the song, and then there’s Reba. These are three of the biggest names in country music.”
The Bells – Rick plays bass guitar and Stephanie sings vocals for music by the Judds – originally belonged to a band called Little Rock since the late 1990s. They toured the East Coast and signed with the same management company as former superstar Billy Ray Cyrus. When they didn’t get headlining acts, they decided to pack up and head back to Pennsylvania and become house parents, fostering children in the Hershey area.
The music itch returned last year and they believed forming a tribute band might be more lucrative.
The group is named after the Judds’ No. 1 hit in 1984 and became their second number one on the country chart.
Rick said it’s also representative of their band venture, explaining, “Why not me? Why can’t we do this?”
Why Not Me includes musical impersonators, who look and sing the part.
Sean Jamison sings the vocals of Brooks, Stephanie Bell handles Wynona Judd and Marie Levin is a dead-ringer for Reba.
Rounding out the band
Dave Lehr on lead and steel guitar, Kevin on acoustic
guitar and Eric Sheerer on drums.
“It’s been a great experience for us,” Rick said.
Conrad Fisher 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 at Kint Pavilion.
Conrad Fisher has worked with a few of the biggest country music songwriters in Nashville, but he has never forgotten his roots in Juniata County.
That hometown feel is why he and wife, Beth, make their home here, owning a 26-acre farm in Port Royal and raising their son, Jack. Fisher also purchased the shuttered McCoysville Presbyterian Church and transformed itcording studio and concert hall, without altering the original church structure. It’s also why Fisher is performing at this year’s Juniata County Fair. Fisher was named Songwriter of the Year in 2020 and 2021 by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame. His song, “Living Left to Do” was recorded by Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers and claimed the No. 1 spot on the Bluegrass Gospel Charts for four consecutive weeks in 2021.
He also just released a new album, “Live at Ragrecorded during a recent performance at the venerable building.
Fisher also put pen to paper and released his toe-tapping version of “Allentown,” which was released in late May and is available on many streaming platforms.
Fisher’s new catchy version of the “Allentown” song, which includes a three-minute video that is posted on his Facebook page, will certainly put listeners in the Keystone in the Port Royal area on top of mountains that go across to Ickesburg on
Route 74 where there is an outlook.
Fisher, who has an immediate likable vocal style lined up an impressive lineup of performers for played in front of packed houses. Tickets for the latest show in December, Rhona Vincent and the Rage, sold out in 13 hours.
Moore Brothers 6 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 on Free Stage.
Growing up with 10 brothers and four sisters who were all musically inclined, Mike Moore doesn’t remember too many quiet moments in the Moore household.
The family divided up by age to form four separate bands at one point. “We would sit and watch our brothers practice and think, ‘Why aren’t they big time,’” Mike recalled. “We started playing jobs when I was 12, and we thought we were making tons of money. We wanted to be as good as we can be.”
Moore – the fourth youngest of the 11 brothers – formed a band with his three youngest siblings. They landed gigs and pocketed $4 or so playing for crowds.
“We were always trying do to be better,” he added. “It was always fun, but it was always noisy in our house.”
Mom and Dad – Carrie and Bud Moore – didn’t mind as they played and sang as well. Mike’s dad had performed on stage in the past and passed his passion for music onto his children. “That’s how we learned how to do shows,” said Mike, whose dad loved strumming the banjo. “We thought it was important to always keep entertainment in the family.”
Eventually those four bands were whittled down to two and now rests at one, which is called the Moore Brothers, who are based in
The Moore Brothers cover music ranging from classic rock and country, to pop. They have put together show-stopping medleys paying tribute to Elvis, The Beatles, The Four Seasons, Alabama and Wilson Pickett.
Their blend of music and comedy has made the Moore Brothers one of the most sought after bands in the industry.
“I think our family harmony separates us from other bands,” Moore said. Today, Mike plays guitar and keyboards in the Moore Brothers band. “There’s always something for every person who comes (to our concerts).”
His wife, Janie, plays keyboard and sings vocals. Brothers Bill and Patrick play bass and keyboards, while both also sing. Rick Moore, the baby of the family, is the band’s drummer.
Over The Edge 4:30 and 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 on Free Stage.
When it comes to playing music, Joe Eveland has been rocking since he can remember. “I just turned when I was eight with the band,” recalled Eveland, who plays guitar and keyboard and serves as one of the lead vocalists for Over The Edge.
“We started playing The Beatles then moved to hard rock,” he added. “Me, ‘Bunky’ and Jay have been together for like 20 years, on and off, on and off.”
Since 2019, the trio –Eveland, Walter “Bunky” Hendricks and John “Jay” Carpenter – have been part of Over The Edge, which is based in Shamokin.
Henricks plays guitar and harmonica and also sings lead vocals, while Carpenter is on acoustic guitar and sings lead.
Rounding out the band is drummer Mike Kreisher.
Over The Edge draws from a wide range of inDoors Down, Green Day, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Motley Crue, The Cars and Billy Idol to name a few.
“It’s only classic rock,” Eveland said of the band’s music. “We wanted to pick a genre and stick with it.”
Over The Edge won’t budge from classic rock. “I think it’s one of the most popular (genres),” Eveland said. “These are real songs. We try to keep it good and keep it going.”
The band plays three to in Northumberland County and the neighboring areas.
Over The Edge loves the fair circuit during the summer, except for the rainy weather.
Eveland came from a musical background as he had a “crazy family full of musicians,” he said, referring to his father whom he described as an “awesome” harmonica player and his uncle and cousins.
He’s also passed his love of music along to future generations by teaching his niece the guitar and keyboard.
LeadFoot 4:30 and 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 on Free Stage.
By their own admission, it’s been a long time since LeadFoot rocked the stage at the Juniata County Fair. Too long for band members, including lead vocal-
ist and keyboard player Russ Weikle’s liking. Now they’re back and looking forward to bringing their ’80s hair band rock show to Juniata County once again. LeadFoot will be playing rock ’n roll loud and proud, said Weikle, who couldn’t be happier to perform at this year’s fair.
“LeadFoot started back in 2003 with the intent to carry on the ’80s metal rock scene,” Weikle said. “We are dedicated to covering all of the big bands from that decade.”
The group appeals to fans of performers like Van Halen, Quiet Riot, AC/DC, Metallica, Ozzy Osborne, Alice in Chains, Ratt, Twisted Sister, Megadeth, Scorpions, Def Leppard and so many others.
“It’s a high-energy show with lots of crowd participation, fun and dancing,” he added. “We’ve been together for a long time. Lots of jammin’, hangin’ … We love what we get to do.”
Based in Camp Hill, LeadFoot started cranking out the classics in 2003, with the intent to carry on the ’80s metal rock scene. They play crowd favorites, covering all the big bands from that decade, to B-side gems.
Trent Noll also sings lead vocals and plays lead guitar, while Patrick Laubscher sings backup vocals and plays rhythm guitar. Rounding out the band is Tim Light on drums and Kip Forbes on bass and backup vocals.
Videos on the band’s social media features legendary cover performances of “Round and Round” from Ratt, “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” by Quiet Riot, “I Stand Alone” by Jackyl, “Blow My Fuse” by Kix and “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses.
“It’s always a good time when we get to rock,” Weikle said. “This one is going to be a banger. They wanna rock.
Modern Outlaws 2, 3:45 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 on Free Stage.
Growing up, Ken McCartney and other members of Modern Outlaws were always surrounded by classic rock songs. After all, it was the “I Want My MTV” era. Now, Modern Outlaws take the stage performing many of the same rock classics, which have remained just as popular. There’s Whitesnake, Golden Earring, AC/DC, Bad Company, Def Leppard, Poison and Kiss, to name a few.
“They were always part of our genre growing up,” said McCartney, who plays
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Photo courtesy of BROKEN RECORD BAND
Broken Record Band includes, from left, Josh Imes, Kristie Smith, Steve Symmerman, Ron Colledge and Kevin Milliken.
drums and sings both lead and backup vocals for Modern Outlaws.
“Classic rock is also one of the genres that brings out the biggest crowds out to see bands,” he added.
“We try to take on songs that other bands do not try to play.” Based in the Selinsgrove-Lewisburg area, Modern Outlaw formed in 2023. The foursome have all been playing together for years both informally and with other bands.
Besides McCartney, Scott Clark plays lead guitar and sings lead vocals, and Brandon Barnhart is a keyboardist, rhythm guitar player and sings lead vocals.
Mike Paulhamus plays bass and sings backup vocals. They also credit sound engineer Keith Hummel for the band’s success.
“We’re a strong band, we work well together,” McCartney said. “I think we gel really well as a band.”
Modern Outlaws typically plays two to three gigs monthly – although they hitting the fair and festival tour during the summer months.
This year, they performed at the Strawberry Festival in Fremont, the Middleburg Carnival and the Juniata County Fair.
“We have a pretty good following,” McCartney the time of year. In the winter time, people are coming out because there’s nothing to do. It’s hit or miss in the summertime.”
McCartney’s favorite music to play is anything by Def Leppard or Bon Jovi. “It’s the same stuff that you still hear on the radio today,” he added of classic rock’s longevity.
“My favorite is Def Leppard and the Bon Jovi music that we do,” McCartney said.
Hometown favorite Cisney works Labor Day to win classic
BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter gwilliams@lewistownsentinel.com
don’t work on holidays?
Sprint car driver Dylan Cisney scored one for the hometown crowd on Fan
Port Royal Speedway when at last year’s Foss Jewelers Labor Day Classic in the 69th running of the event.
“This race is very special to me ever since I wasnally put my name in the record books for this one is surreal.”
The win was worth $6,000 and was appropriate and popular with the fans for a kid who grew up just a few blocks from the Speed Palace and now serves as the Port Royal mayor as an adult.
“I love this race so much,” Cisney added. “We’ve been close so many
years. That’s a tough one to lead a race the last couple laps when it’s a race you’ve lost on the last lap before. I was thankful everything held up with all those yellows.”
Brian Brown and Mike Walter II started on the front row for the event, and it was Brown getting the lead the opening lap. Walter, Gerard McIntyre Jr., made up the rest of the top Macri was on the move early as he moved into the lap two. Meanwhile, 21st starter Sam Hafertepe Jr. was already up to 14th by lap three.
the backstretch. Brown again took off at the return laps later Cisney moved into the fourth spot. With 15 laps remaining, Walter was able to track
down Brown and the two stand. Walter used a slider in turn’s one and two to take over the top spot, while Macri followed suit to second in turn’s three and four.
Cisney was able to work his way into a podium spot within two more laps and with 11 laps to go he got by Macri for the runner-up position. The timing was perfect for Cisney, as one lap later Walter was buried in allowed Cisney to capitalize and grab the top spot with nine laps remaining.
One lap later, Walter found speed once again and he got by Cisney exiting turn two on the bottom to take the lead back. However, the lead was short-lived as Cisney capitalized on Walter’s slip-up to take the lead back in turns one and two with eight laps left.
Walter set his sights back on Cisney entering
turn three but had Macri to his outside working the middle line. The two made contact in the middle of the turn and Walter backed his way into the outside guardrail to bring out the caution for the second time.
four to go and two to go four laps, but Cisney was able to hold off all attempts from his competitors to
season at the track.
“I don’t know if we had the best car, we just got lucky,” Cisney said.
“That’s why it’s better to start back sometimes and watch those guys move around and wait to be at the right place at the right time. We were the lucky at the right times to get up
Macri, Brown, McIntyre Jr. and Parker Price-Miller
Danny Dietrich, Tyler Courtney, Devon Borden,
Hafertepe Jr. and Hunter Schuerenberg completed the top 10.
Hafertepe Jr earned $500 from Valley Supply Inc. as the evening’s hard charger, TJ Stutts scored a $1000 bonus as the night’s J&S recipient via random draw. Weather permitting, this Day Classic is slated for 1 p.m. Monday, Sept 2. 2023 Labor Day Classic were:
thony Macri, 3.
4.
Enjoy The Fair!
Brian Brown,
Gerard McIntyre Jr., 5. Parker Price-Miller, 6. Danny Dietrich, 7. Tyler Courtney, 8. Devon Borden, 9. Sam Hafertepe Jr., 10. Hunter SchuerenWindom, 13. TJ Stutts, 14. Lynton Jeffrey, 15. Kody Lehman, 16. Sye Lynch, 17, Jason Shultz, 18. Kassidy Kreitz, 19. Devin Brenneman, 20. Mike Wagner.
BY GREG WILLIAMS
– It’s a 988mile trek from Grain
ley, Missouri to Port Royal,
a nearly 14-hour road trip, or more considering he had a race car hauler in tow.
But that never deterred
veteran driver Brian Brown from returning to the Juniata County oval for the better part of the last decade, really since 2012. Brown, ace of the Casey’s/FVP No. 21 sprint car, dreamed of winning the coveted Tuscarora 50 at Port Royal Speedway.
Last year, when his dream came true to become the Tuscarora 50’s newest champion, Brown donned a megawatt smile and left little doubt that the $62,000 triumph was the most heralded achievement of his
racing career.
“It’s the biggest win of my life,” the then-43-yearold Brown said. “I can say that with pride. I’m just as happy when I won Selinsgrove’s ($20,000 Jim Nace Memorial in 2017) than I am now.
“I don’t think it’s set in that I won the Tuscarora 50,” he added. “I think I’m so happy I won at Port Royal, the money’s going to be good when we get that $60,000. And the trophy is 10-foot tall. Yeah, unbelievable.”
The Tuscarora 50, which has grown in popularity and stature as one of the prized events to win in the sprint-car circuit these days, certainly tops anything and everything Brown has ever won.
He won a pair of features in 2021 and 2022 in central Pennsylvania, but nothing of consequence (weekly shows at Williams Grove
Speedway and Selinsgrove).
Brown often wondered if he labored in vain when it came to his championship prowess at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway to central Pennsylvania’s assortment of red-clay ovals.
The year-end trips are also costly, with a price tag of roughly $15,000 to $20,000.
“You have to run good to make it make sense,” Brown said. “It’s crazy.”
Brown has slowly progressed, running second last year on the Night Before the Tuscarora 50, chasing icon Lance Dewease.
“We’re just a race away from turning this around,” he said. “If you believe you can, you can. If you believe you can’t, you can’t. We believe we could, and here we are.”
carora 50 victory. Brown
took command of the prestigious 50-lapper on lap 44, battling by racelong rival Chase Randall.
“I’ve been coming here for a long time, and I’ve always dreamt about standing here in victory lane, Tuscarora 50, in front of an amazing crowd, is really special,” Brown said after the Oct. 5, 2023, race.
Due to rain, the 56th Annual Tuscarora 50 was held nearly a month after the originally scheduled date. That didn’t dampen Brown’s spirits one bit.
“I’m pumped to win is a crown jewel,” he added. “There are lots of races, but this is an event. I might not have had the fastest car the whole race, but we were there when it counted.” circuits before Brent Marks took over on lap 19. Backto-back cautions, includ-
up Marks for an eventual takeover.
Marks maintained his lead until disaster struck on lap 35 when he spun to a stop in turn four after nearly making contact with a lapped car. Marks, a former Tuscarora 50 champion, had nowhere to go.
With Marks out, Randall regained the lead, keeping waved on lap 44.
The caution also enabled Brown to use the ensuing restart to gain second.
“We really didn’t make that many changes during the break,” Brown recalled. “I was taking off around the top the entire race, so I I would change things up.
“I tried to get by Chase as clean as I could without crashing anyone,” he added. “But how about that kid? Racing that well in his
I’m proud of him. We’re going to celebrate this one for a while tonight.” Weather permitting, this year’s 57th Annual Tuscarora 50 is slated for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. 2023 Tuscarora 50 were:
1. Brian Brown, 2. Kyle Larson, 3. Chase Randall, 4. Brent Shearer, 5. Carson Macedo, 6. Kerry Madsen, 7. Anthony Macri, 8. Zeb Wise, 9. Logan Schuchart, 10. Tyler Courtney, 11. Spencer Bayston, 12. Sye Lynch, 13. Justin Whittall, 14. Justin Peck, 15. Parker Price-Miller, 16. Logan Wagner, 17. Cory Eliason, 18. Mike Wagner, 19. Buddy Kofoid, 20. Brent Marks, 21. Rico Abreu, 22.. TJ
23.
Stutts,
Kyle Reinhardt, 24. Dylan Cisney, 25. Kasey Kahne, 26. Devon Borden.