Some people may find it difficult to walk 50 feet at the 49th annual Westmoreland Fair without forking over a couple of dollars to chow down on an elephant ear or throw a ping-pong ball at a goldfish bowl. But others, those not drawn in by the chance of taking home a giant SpongeBob SquarePants doll, scavenge the Mt. Pleasant Township fairgrounds trying to find scores of handouts given away by everyone from Avon to the National Guard. Directly inside the admission gate, freebie hunters can pick up a copy of the Tribune-Review or spin a wheel and walk away with another prize. Just across the path, the armed forces set up camp trying to find future soldiers, but without signing recruitment papers, fairgoers can get a plastic bag from the U.S. Army to carry up to four pounds of loot. Next, stuff the bag with a calendar, CD-ROM and mouse pad from the Navy, as well as key chains and pencils from three branches of the military. As the temperature climbs, scavengers should avoid the vendor stands and head to Exhibit Building No. 2 and fill a paper cup with free Culligan water. A couple of stands down, self-described Salsa Chick Kimberly Rosso shouts, “Step right up, and grab a chip.” Until the fair closes on Saturday, she will provide samples of four flavors of Murrell’s Mex-Italia Gourmet Salsa to whoever stops by. Kids, however, need their parents’ permission to try Fear Factor X. “I wish I would have had a camera for the one little 8-year-old,” Rosso says. “His eyes were like ‘Wheeww!'” Those who are still hungry can head past the fair office to the agriculture building. Looking at award-winning tomatoes and carrots will probably only increase your appetite, but at least you can pick up 22 recipes, ranging from acorn squash with apple stuffing to roasted pork, to make a little later. After dinner, the kids may get restless. Although rides are included in the admission price at the fair this year, they’re not the only form of free entertainment. Head back to Building No. 2, making sure to avoid the Salsa Chick, who may get you to buy her wares this time. On the opposite side of the building, Word of Life ministries gives away balloon sculptures, face paintings and candy without asking anything in return. “We’re just trying to show the love of Jesus to the people,” says Kathy Borbonus, special events coordinator. Children should remember to bring crayons because after getting a face painting they can hunt down coloring books from state Rep. Jess Stairs, an Acme Republican; the Tribune-Review; the American Dairy Association; and the Pennsylvania Trappers Association. While kids are coloring, or maybe even on the rides, it’s important for parents to pick up some bedtime reading material. Children probably won’t enjoy hearing about Diamond 80 residential gas furnaces or Social Security, but after a long day at the fair, they’ll fall asleep quickly, anyway. Additional Information:

Today’s highlights

Family Day – $6 admission from 1-11 p.m. 5-7 p.m. – Milking Parlor Demonstration 6 and 8 p.m. – Hoptoad Production (Children’s entertainment), Show Arena 7 and 9 p.m. – Gas House Annie, Sit-a-Spell Stage 7:30 p.m. – Figure 8 Race, Rolling Rock Arena ($5 adults, $3 children, $10 pit pass)

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