Mermaid, Gorilla Girl compete for Geauga County fairgoers’attention

SHELLEY TERRY
Star Beacon

September 02, 2008 01:28 am

— BURTON — Martin Graham just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see a real-live mermaid Monday afternoon.
“Myrna the Mermaid Girl: girl on top, fish on the bottom,” a loudspeaker called out.
Myrna was one of two sideshow attractions on a lane of balloon-popping, ball-throwing and duck-picking games of chance at the Great Geauga County Fair. She’s also one of the few remaining survivors of the days when folks would stare at the alligator-skinned woman or an Egyptian mummy.
“Guaranteed alive or a $1,000 reward!” the voice on the loudspeaker said.
Graham couldn’t pass it up.
“I might win a reward,” the fortyish man said before plunking down $2.
His family watched as Graham walked up to the sideshow and looked in the window.
“It’s frightening. She’s alive,” he said, half-jokingly. “They need to let her back into the sea so she can be with her own kind.”
He would not elaborate.
About 10 yards down the lane, bright banners beckoned outside a strange green tent advertising “Gabora, the Gorilla Girl.”
“It’s not for the weak of heart,” the loudspeaker said.
Graham wasn’t buying this one, as he and his family walked on to the main midway to ride the fair’s many carnival rides on the last day of the fair. And they weren’t alone. There were lines at almost every kiddy ride: rabbits, bugs, dinosaurs and barrels of fun for the little children, and thrill rides for the older children.
Concession stands were busy, too.
Outside of the farmers market, the Progressive Field Band entertained the crowds with its Dixieland and Big Band sound. The three-piece group consists of Ed, 81, who plays the accordion; Harvey, 85, on the trumpet, and Andy, 90, plays the clarinet. The men hail from Lake and Geauga counties.
“They play at every Cleveland Indians game,” said Cyndi Kriz of Munson. “They’re great.”
Just a stone’s throw away, Judy Burlingame, aka Miss Judy, a marketing consultant for WKKY radio in Geneva, took requests from country music fans. She also gave away stickers.
“It’s a great fair,” she said. “The weather is beautiful today.”
At about 2:30 p.m., fair-goers started to fill the main grandstand to catch some Rockin’S Rodeo Bull Riding action.
Fairground workers said Sunday seemed to be the busiest day at the fair, although Monday drew a big crowd. They attributed Sunday’s success to the truck and tractor pulls.
Kevin O’Reilly, who staffed the Burton Chamber of Commerce booth, sold maple candy and maple syrup to the crowds. He said it appeared the weekend drew the biggest crowds to the fair this year.

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