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July 21-27, 2013 Bedford, Pennsylvania |
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July 21-27, 2013 Bedford, Pennsylvania |
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The Bedford County Fairboard dedicates the "2012 Premium Tabloid" to Richard "Dick"
Barkley and Roy
Harshberger Dick Barkley 
When the Fair opens on July 22nd, it will mark the 50th year Dick
Barkley has served as the Sheep Superintendent and the 20th year on
the Fair Board of Directors. Dick started his involvement in the Fair
as one of two vocational agriculture teachers at Bedford. He helped
with various committees which included the tractor driving contest
and sheep. In 1962, he was appointed as Sheep Superintendent, giving
him 50 years of service this year. His job in that position became
more complicated when the sheep barn had to be removed to make room
for the new judging arena in 1995. Dick and his committee managed
with using a tent for two years. He then provided the leadership to
raise funds and obtain mostly fiberglass materials to build the present
sheep barn. Nearly all of the labor to build the barn was done by
volunteers, again organized and supervised by Dick. Dick's
involvement with the Fair has not only been with the sheep. In 1979
he was appointed co-superintendent of all junior livestock animals
and attained the position of superintendent in 1989. In that position
until 2005, he provided leadership for the Junior Livestock Sale which
was changed from Thursday to the Saturday of the Fair. Dick deserves
much of the credit for developing the Bedford Fair Livestock Sale,
making it one of the very best Junior Livestock Sales in the state.
Thank you, Dick, for 50 years of leadership to the Fair. |
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Roy Harshberger 1923-2011
The
Bedford Fair Board acknowledges the contributions Roy has made as both
a Fair Board member and as Harness Racing Secretary. Roy served the
secretary's position until harness racing was discontinued in 1993.
Roy passed away in October at the age of 87. |
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In
1966, horse racing at the Bedford County Fair was a major attraction,
as it had been for the previous 90 plus years. There was only one problem,
the former race secretary had retired and no one had the experience
required to fill the position. However, a local drapery maker agreed
to give it a try and for the next 27 years, Roy Harshberger served the
position with uncompromising dedication and efficiency. With the support
of his wife Norma, affectionately known as "Lefty", and their
two children, Laura and Bryce, Roy managed every aspect required to
organize and present quality harness racing on the big half mile track.
His ability to arrange evenly matched fields created competitive races
for the racers and entertaining events for the spectators. His office,
from where he seldom left during Fair week, was affectionately known
as the dungeon under the judges' stand. He was normally at the job by
4am, and most nights the paperwork was not finished until 11pm. His
duties included taking the entries, organizing the pill draw for starting
positions, recording the finish position and time for each horse, distributing
checks to each winner, and dealing with any disputes among the horsemen.
During this process, Roy gained the respect from the PA State Harness
Racing officials, along with the owners, trainers and drivers that competed
under Roy's watch. Bedford County was always well represented by some
of the best horsemen and horses in the state. This was a fact that Roy
was extremely proud of being associated with.