Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Although there was racing at the Orange County Fair Speedway in both 2020 and 2021, one event that was not able to be held was the popular pre-season OCFS Motorsports Show.
After achieving a record attendance in 2019, the 2020 and 2021 versions fell victim to the pandemic regulations. And for many fans, it was disappointing and badly missed. The show has always been a much anticipated chance for racers to display their new cars or new schemes.
Friends would always make plans to get together at the show. There would always be plenty of smiles and laughter and it was always great to see the younger fans having a great time, grabbing an autograph or photo with their favorites and with the stars of the speedway.
Many of the familiar activities associated with the show are all returning. These include a pit crew challenge, a cornhole tournament and a charity auction.
Also returning will be the live versions of the Ms. OCFS and Little Miss OCFS pageants.
In addition to the estimated amount of 50 or so cars from OCFS and other local tracks, there will be vendors and information booths where you can find out about things happening in 2022 at OCFS and other tracks.
“OCFS will have a booth at the show that I will be manning,” said OCFS General Manager, Doug Dulgarian. “There will be other booths with information about the other things happening at the track this season including the Burnout Nationals and Orange Motorsport and Entertainment (OME) upcoming events.”
For those interested, Diesels of New York will be having their season opening event on Saturday at the speedway. It will include a burnout competition.
Those who attend the show should make it a point to stop at the “No Kid Hungry Backpack Program” fundraiser booth. Take a spin and win a prize, it’s for a great cause. It’s organized by the Middletown Lions Club. One of the organizers who you might see there is Pamela Van Dunk, who is about the nicest person one will ever meet.
If you have items that you would like to donate to either the charity auction or the No Kid Hungry Backpack Program, please get in touch with the speedway.
As the season got off to a late start in 2020, there was no Ms OCFS or Little Miss OCFS. March of 2021 saw an online crowning of Ms. OCFS 2021 and there was a live pageant for Little Miss OCFS in July of 2021.
But with the worst of the pandemic hopefully behind us for good, it’s a green light for both Ms. OCFS 2022 and Little Miss OCFS 2022 to proceed at the show.
Ms. OCFS 2018, Christina Contento, has been working hard on the pageants as she always does with her role with the Kids Club. She has put together these details about the Ms. OCFS part of the weekend.
The pageant takes place on Saturday, March 26 at 8pm. There are 4 rounds to the contest which include 1. Video biography, 2 Motorsports wear, 3. Photogenic and 4. Victory Lane/Trophy Girl wear.
There will be awards for the 4 rounds listed above along with a 2nd runner up, 1st runner up and the crowning of Ms. OCFS.
There are two categories independent of the judges’ scores. People’s Choice which is voted on by the fans and does NOT count as a judged score towards the title. And Ms. Congenitally voted on by the contestants for the lady who was most helpful and friendly during the pageant.
There are a number of sponsors for the pageant that Christina would like to acknowledge. Salon Bleu of Augusta, NJ is the main sponsor of the pageant. Other sponsors include:
- Orange County Fair Speedway
- D’Andrea’s Jewelers
- Inspirational Krafts
- RB Artistry
- Creative Nail Salon with Amy Congleton, Ms. OCFS 2017
- Giuliano Motorsports
- Mike Traverse, OCFS Track Photographer
- Ladies of Motorsports Magazine
- Christina Contento, Ms. OCFS 2018
- Erika Bucksbee, Ms. OCFS 2021
Christina is still looking for sponsors for our swag bags. Please reach out to Christina Contento via Instagram or Facebook @ms.lomm2022.
The show schedule is as follows:
March 25
- 10am-9pm Set-up for show
March 26
- 10am show opens
- 1pm Little Miss OCFS 2022 crowned
- 230pm pit crew challenge
- 4pm charity auction
- 530pm cornhole tournament
- 8pm Ms OCFS 2022 Pageant
- 10pm show closes
March 27
- 10am show opens
- 1230pm autograph session
- 3pm best of show awards ceremony
So there you have it. It’s all in place for a great weekend at the OCFS Motorsport Show. If you need further information, please contact the speedway office at 845 342-2573.