Weekend Features - 8/12/2012

Fran Lemansky of Hopwood spends his Sunday afternoon practicing his chipping wedge on the soccer field at Hutchinson Park. Lemansky chooses the soccer field due to his role as the founder of the Laurel Highlands High School soccer program, several subsequent programs and all the memories he associates with the field. "It's an addiction" he says when asked about the game and the kids. "When they're having fun, I'm having fun."

Kiley Turner of the Nemacolin Wildlife Academy allows kids to touch the tail of Taz, the Argentine Black and White Tegu Lizard at the 21st annual Areford Area Neighborhood Picnic, Saturday afternoon in Areford Park. The event was sponsored by the Areford Area Picnic Committee and was open to all current and past Areford Area residents.

Residents of Connellsville and around Fayette County raise their glasses in toast to the city of Connellsville and its people at the inaugural Savor the Avenue event on Crawford Avenue in Downtown Connellsville. The event was sponsored by the Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce with all proceeds benefiting the chamber.

Weekend Features, Fayette/Greene County Fair - 8/4/2012

Aleshia Hissem, 14, of Acme kisses her calf, Joker, for good luck at the Animal Dressing contest at the Fayette County Fair in Dunbar Township, Thursday afternoon. According to Hissem, Joker "likes to watch the Pirates and drink Pepsi."

Mia Cuppett, 9, of Uniontown preps her goat Sweet Pea for the Animal Dressing contest at the Fayette County Fair in Dunbar Township, Thursday. Sweet Pea was a last-minute entry and yet she took first place in the occupation category.

Josh Grimes of Waynesburg helps his friend Lyndsey Huhn (not pictured) prep her lamb Milley for the Animal Dressing contest at the Fayette County Fair in Dunbar Township, Thursday. Milley took first place in the funniest costume category.

Christa Ziefel of West Greene is crowned 2012 Queen of the Greene County Fair by outgoing queen Samantha Morris at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg, Saturday afternoon.

Leonard "Duck" Dulaney of Wyanesburgh leads his Belgium Draft horse, Ike, into the stables at the Greene County Fair on Saturday. Dulaney has been working with horses for over 30 years and has been working specifically with Ike for six years.

Fayette County Fair - 7/30/2012

Chris Higbee opens for The Clarks at the Fayette County Fair in Dunbar Township, Friday evening.

The Clarks featuring Scott Blasey (left),  Greg Joseph, Robert James and James Minarik perform at the Fayette County Fair, Friday evening.

Derik Heitauer, 11, of New Salem celebrates his birthday by dragging his step-father, James Furnbaugh, onto the Super Shot, Saturday afternoon.

Connor Allman, 8, of Pittsburgh feeds a baby goat at the Fayette County Fair, Saturday afternoon.

Cyrus Nock of the Nerveless Nocks Thrill and Stunt Show defies gravity in the wheel of destiny at the Fayette County Fair, Saturday afternoon.

Fletcher Runyan of the Nerveless Nocks Thrill and Stunt Show performs on the wire at the Fayette County Fair, Saturday afternoon.

Leah Bloom and Angel Kiss enjoy some serious hang time aboard the Ring of Fire, Saturday afternoon.

Brianna Bloom (left), 7, and her cousin Katrina David, 11, both of Uniontown enjoy their third ride on the Super Slide, Saturday afternoon.

The Fayette County Fair Princess and Queen, Lyndsey Butler (left) and Elizabeth Hendricks present Adrienne Mattley, 8, and her sister Alexandra (right), 5, of Uniontown with crowns at the Fayette County Fair, Sunday afternoon.

Ellie Davey, 9, of Crofton, Maryland is presented with a crown by the Fayette County Fair Princess, Lyndsey Butler at the Fayette County Fair, Sunday afternoon.

Auggie Agostini and the Lucky Strikes open for the Battle of the Bands at the Fayette County Fair, Sunday afternoon. They were the winners in 2011 and therefore open for the new competition.

Free Candy open as the first competitors in the Battle of the Bands at the Fayette County Fair, Sunday afternoon.

KennyKon XXIII, Kennywood Park - 7/22/2012

Members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) gather at Kennywood Park for their 23rd annual picnic.

ACEers (from left) Vic Kleman, Chuck George, Stephen Marziale and Elana Marziale take a ride on The Whip in honor of the ride's 85th year of operation.

Nikki Blake (left), Stephen Marziale and Justin Loutsenhizer take a 3-person flight aboard Kennywood's Sky Coaster.

Steve Smith, Mike Matscherz and Evan Smith savor the airtime on the Kangaroo, the last surviving "flying coaster" ride of it's kind in the world.

ACE Goes Idlewild II - 7/21/2012

Members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts gather at Idlewild Park in Ligonier, Pennsylvania for their second "ACE Goes Idlewild" event on Saturday, July 21, 2012.

Shawn Engle of Cold Spring, Kentucky takes his first ever ride on the Flying Aces ride, Saturday morning at Idlewild.

Stephen Gray and Julie Word, both of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania prove that one is never too old to enjoy the simple pleasures the Hand Cars, Saturday morning at Idlewild.

Idlewild's public relations director, Jeff Croushore, is dunked for a good cause, Saturday afternoon.

ACEers enjoy an "exclusive ride time" aboard the Rollo Coaster, Saturday night at Idlewild.

Weekend Features, Laurel Highlands Band Camp - 7/20/2012

Students from Laurel Highlands High School take part in the school's summer band camp at Areford Park in South Union Township.

Students from Laurel Highlands High School take part in the school's summer band camp at Areford Park in South Union Township.

Breanna Balaz, a senior at Laurel Highlands High School, practices her baton twirling for the Laurel Highlands Marching Band at Areford Park in South Union Township.

Dionna Johnson (a senior), Haley Martin (junior) and Sam Huey (senior) practice their flag twirling for the Laurel Highlands High School color guard at Areford Park in South Union Township, Friday afternoon.

Friendship Church, Vacation Bible School - 7/17/2012

Lynn Portnoff (right) asks Eden Boyer to read the day's verse about faith.

Laurie Porter teaches the kids the proper sign language for a new song that they are learning in Spanish.

The kids work on paper-mache balloons to make hot-air balloons in the theme of learning about new countries.

While learning about Nigeria, Barbara Blandino teaches the kids about the difference between a banana and a plantain.