ALCOLA Fun meets horses with a new show presented daily at the Clarion County Fairgrounds.
Debuting at the local fair in 2024, Areli Equine Entertainment offers a variety of equestrian and comedy acts including Western riding, Liberty Rosinback horse, Roman riding and more, under the direction of co-owners and performers Rusty McCray and Laurie Long.
“Our intention with this show is to give people a place to be amazed, laugh and have a good time,” Long said Monday of the 35- to 45-minute show that runs three times a day at the Redbank Valley Municipal Park Fairgrounds.
Both longtime performers, McCray, a Florida native, and Long, who grew up in Bloomsburg, met on the rodeo circuit and decided to branch out with their own show about 12 years ago.
“We both have entertainment in our blood,” McCray said, noting that he’s primarily the host of the show, while Long does most of the stunts. “It’s a great partnership that combines both of our talents.”
According to McCray, the original show consisted of a few acts that focused primarily on equestrian vaulting, but it evolved over the years to include different facets of riding and interaction.
“It’s great because it’s truly a family show,” McCray said, noting that Areli Equine Entertainment not only caters to fans of all ages, but also features her and Long’s family involvement. Long’s son, Monty, performs in the show, while her husband and daughter, Alayna, help out backstage. McCray’s daughter also joins the crew when schedules permit.
Work usually takes you away from your family, but with this we're able to do it together, Long agreed, adding that she and McCray try to limit their travel to Pennsylvania and New York and perform primarily during the summer months.
Reflecting on her favorite parts of the six-horse show featuring Snowman, Brother, Grizz, Joey, Lucky and Zoey, Long said she enjoys the playfulness of the show's first act, the freedom act, which she performs alone in the ring with her horse.
It's not a very fast routine and it's not necessarily athletically demanding. It's just fun and different every time,” Long said. “Even when it doesn't go the way I choreographed it, I know him really well and I know I can count on him to work together to finish.
Although his favorite act is his comic pony number with donker doodle Joey, McCray said he also enjoys watching Long perform the rosinback number with the show's largest horse, Snowman.
That number is a big part of what launched the show itself, McCray said, noting that perfecting Rosinback's number likely also cemented the friendship between him and Long. “We've been through a lot together and we've put a lot of effort into developing that number.”
Although this is the first time Areli Equine Entertainment has performed at the Clarion County Fair, McCray has performed at the local fair in the past, both as a competitor and as a clown in rodeos.
“It’s nice to be back here for the whole week,” he said, adding that he never really got a chance to enjoy the fair as a member of the rodeo. “Normally I’m here for one night and then I’m gone.”
In fact, both McCray and Long said they enjoy visiting and experiencing the different county fairs.
“We love county fairs,” McCray said, noting that he and Long enjoy walking through the grounds and are especially excited to see what locals bring to the fair, whether it’s animals, handmade items or their talents. “We really like the local feel.”
Looking ahead to their week in Clarion County, McCray and Long said they are especially excited to entertain and interact with the crowds at the fair.
“It’s great to be able to work with the public’s input and the feedback is always great,” McCray said. “We’re grateful to our sponsors and the Clarion County Fair for giving us the opportunity to be here.”
Areli Equine Entertainment is sponsored by the following companies: Chickatees by Millers Custom Stitches, First United National Bank, JM Smucker Company, K. Wells Cleaning Services LLC, Toms Riverside Quality Foods and Pop Radio 92.7, 93.1 and 95.9 FM.
Areli Equine Entertainment performs daily at the Clarion County Fairgrounds with shows at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
