<![CDATA[WILLIAM SNYDER III

Artist William Snyder III completed The Bedford County Fair Mural in time for the July 22 opening of the fair. He covered nearly 2,000 square feet of concrete with polka dots, giant cows and blue ribbons as big as your head. The work was commissioned by Downtown Bedford Inc (DBI) through a $10,000 grant from the Moose Lodge 480 and is installed on Business Route 30 at the I-99 underpass. The Bedford County Fair Mural features local residents in roles reflecting the wide range of events and people who bring the fair to life each year.

"The fair is around 150 years old" notes Snyder "I really wanted to capture the broad profile of Bedford's community over all those years." The Bedford County Fair Mural's prominent location on Route 30, carries fair goers along the weight of Lincoln's highway. "I hope it evokes something of the rich history in Bedford County, as well as featuring the amazing range of attractions and joys of the fair.

Dr. GE Washington, a fourth generation Bedford farmer and arts educator, observed, “people really slow down to read the mural.”  They might be looking for themselves.  A $300 donation to DBI afforded contributors their likeness in the mural.  Many with long-term involvement in the fair including John Holbert, Sr and Fred Hoover are depicted. Dr. Washington's Grandad Al appears larger than life as he's winning the Harness Racing competition in his green and white silks. In total, the Bedford County Fair Mural includes thirty-one “paid” portraits.

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For further information, please contact the artist, William Snyder III.
cel: 814-880-9933
info@williamsnyderiii.com,
http://www.williamsnyderiii.com/projects.html,
2011 Halfmoon Valley Road Port Matilda, PA 16870

EDITORS NOTE:  More photographs of the mural and artist are available for printing purposes.
DBI is Downtown Bedford Inc, a collective of merchants who improve the places where they do business. http://www.downtownbedford.com