Fairgoers enjoy fun and games at the fair, including ‘Wheel of Death’ on Orleans Trail

Photos by Natalie Baron: Fairgoers enjoyed the sunny day on Wednesday, including a ride on the Flying Elephants.

By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern

ALBION—The annual Orleans County 4-H Fair is here, bringing entertainment to the community. Several events took place this Wednesday.

The rubber chicken throwing contest was a big hit. Amy Crawford, who works for Leafguard, watched the action.

“I thought that it was super unique and cute, and they seemed to really be enjoying themselves,” she said. “I love how different fairs have their unique ideas of how to entertain families.”

Kayla Dengler (right), the organizer of the Orleans Trail, calculates the inventories of participants Jason and Stephanie Harrington for one of the days in the game. The Orleans Trail mixed the classic Oregon Trail with Dungeons and Dragons, having players roll dice to determine their fates.

Players started out with different inventories. Each day, players chose their rations and speed levels, contributing to roll modifiers, with imaginary party members’ clothing also serving as roll modifiers. A wheel would be spun if low values were rolled, deciding party members’ various deaths taken straight of out the classic Oregon Trail game, as well as loss of resources.

Players hunted by shooting foam balls from a gun, attempting to land balls in nets that corresponded to various animals, which provided different pounds of food. On Day Two, players were able to buy items from a store to aid them in their journey. Toward the end of the experience, players had to cross the Erie Canal by floating, fording or ferry.

The participants all emerged victorious, reaching the end around the same time and all having strengths and weaknesses in their inventory stocks. Victors received a sticker with a wagon and ox on it that read, “You have died of dysentery.”

The Wheel of Death featured classic Oregon Trail deaths like measles, broken legs, snake bites and dysentery. The wheel would also be spun to determine loss of inventory resources, such as wagon wheels, tongues and axles.

At the rooster crowing contest, whichever rooster crowed the most in 10 minutes won. There were 6 participants and 6 awards. The girls in charge of the roosters anxiously encouraged their animals to make noise. Family members in the audience clapped and cheered when their rooster crowed.

The talent showcase dramatically danced its way back into the 4-H Fair this year. Alana Blair, Kendall Peruzzini, and Haidyn Gomez from the Heather Kelley Dance Company in Holley were very expressive as they performed Shake Your Body.

In another dynamic number, Gabby Greean and Oakley Pogel from the HKDC moved to The Witches Are Back. Some of the HKDC girls also put on stunning solo dances. Keyon Thomas from Batavia delivered a vocal solo.

The young girls energetically flew across the stage in The Witches Are Back. Regardless of placement, the talent show participants are eligible to move up to the State Fair Showcase.