Families pay homage to military at Big Butler Fair
The Big Butler Fair’s annual Kid’s Caravan presented a patriotic parade for over 40 audience members in the W.L. Roegnik Sr. Cattle Arena Tuesday.
Children ages 18 months to 6 years were invited to march around the arena in costumes and with floats. Families could enter multiple children.
Contestants are judged on how well their costumes and floats fit the theme, which was “The U.S. Military Comes to the Fair” this year.
Winners received a cash prize and a ribbon presented by 2025 Fair Queen, Daisy Snow.
Caleb Kennedy won Best Boy with his revolutionary George Washington costume, while Charlotte Tuzikow won Best Girl and Second Best Float in her army-green dress and matching Jeep.
“This little lady is ready for battle,” Snow said, while announcing Charlotte’s entrance. Charlotte said she will spend her prize money on cotton candy and a boba drink.
Best Float went to Jack and Brynn Rader in their battleship aircraft carrier, while Bennett Connell won Second-Best Boy and Third-Best Float in his camouflage get up.
The Kids’ Caravan has been around since at least 1993, according to Beverly Everly, event organizer.
“It started to give families something to do,” Everly said. “It’s an event for the children.”
Everly selects the panel of judges herself, as well as the theme. Next year will be “Stars and Stripes Come to the Fair” in honor of the fair’s 170th anniversary.
The organizer first got involved when her daughter won Fair Queen over 30 years ago.
“It’s just a fun thing,” Everly said. “We try to involve the whole community.”
Annabelle Chipps is a Slippery Rock University graduate and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns.
If you’re going tomorrow...
Prices — cash only
General admission at gate — $8 before 4 p.m., $10 after
General admission online — $9
Children younger than 6 — free
All-day ride band — $35
Schedule
9 a.m.: Fair opens
— Draft horse halter, open market lambs, rabbit showmanship, junior dairy showmanship and open and junior dairy breeds judging
— Open sheep breed show
3 p.m.: Carnival opens
4 p.m.: Agricultural Commodity Queens of the County meet and greet.
4:30 p.m.: Draft horse, haflinger, draft pony and single hitches judging
6 p.m.: Animal costume classes
7 p.m.: Truck pull
— Adult & peewee dairy judging
