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As always with skillet throw: They win on a tossup

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Janea Surette of Lebanon holds daughter Audrey, while accepting her Grand Prize skillet from Springvale Aubuchon Hardware manager Tim Llloyd after winning the overall Skillet Throw competition Saturday at the Acton Fair. (Lebanon Voice/Harrison Thorp)

ACTON, Maine - You might say the 149th running of the Acton Fair was in full swing on Saturday, especially in the horse show ring, as some 50 females went toe to toe in one of the fair’s most entertaining fixtures, the skillet throw.

Winners in four age groups got to take home $25 plus a cast iron skillet trophy courtesy of Aubuchon Hardware in Springvale.

A full list of winners was not available at press time, but after the top throwers in the four categories participated in a tossoff, Janea Surette of Upper Guinea Road in Lebanon was declared the grand prize winner, garnering a second, larger skillet and an additional $25 for her effort.

Surette, holding her 9-month-old daughter, Audrey, said it wasn’t so much technique as it was luck.

Jasmine Labriola, 6, of North Reading, Mass., looks up while milking a replica cow at the 'Farmers Little Helper' exhibit at the Acton Fair on Saturday.

“Last year, when I was pregnant with Audrey I got second,” she said.

A large and enthusiastic crowd watched contestants, who came from as far away as Boston, to test their skill on the skillet.

Distances were determined by the length of the throws, then adjusted for how far off a center line their skillet landed.

Among Lebanon notables taking a toss were Bettie Harris-Howard, Democratic candidate for House Seat 20, Lebanon Town Clerk Laura Bragg, Lebanon Excise Tax Collector Christine Torno and The Lebanon Voice President Martha T. Soto-Galicia.

From left, Anna Roy, of Shapleigh, watches as Dr. Rex Farrer, of Wells, and Bob Hardison, of Sanford, work the chicken livers and onions food kiosk at the Acton Fair on Saturday.

While the skillet toss has been a longtime fixture at the fair, a hands-on food and farm demonstration for young children was brand new this year, and judging by the crowds, a hit with youngsters and parents, alike.

Titled “Farmers Little Helper,” the demonstration teaches youngsters age 2 to 10 about the food they eat and how it’s produced, said Donna Goodrich, the fair’s treasurer.

In the exhibit, youngsters go from shed to shed gathering seeds, milking a cow facsimile or buying supplies with play money for their farm.

It’s all kid-friendly, said Goodrich, who added there are plenty of instructors to help parents guide their children through the exhibits.

The “Farmers Little Helper” exhibit is located next to the Flower Building and will be open today from noon-4 p.m.

Over at the food court Anna Roy of Shapleigh was waiting in line for the fair’s famous chicken livers and onions.

Crowds amble through the food and vendor area at the 149th running of the Acton Fair on Saturday.

“I have Celiac’s disease, so I’m gluten free,” she said. “They make it up special for me without flour.”

Manning the grill producing the savory scents were Dr. Rex Farrer of Wells and Bob Hardison of Sanford.

The fair concludes today with a full slate of activities including its Woodsmen’s Day, which highlight lumberjacking skills, such as various sawing competitions and an ax throw.

Admission to the fair for adults is $7, with children under 12 free.

Midway rides are “pay one price” today.

For a schedule of events go to http://actonfair.net/program-of-events/.

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