ACTON — Is it all in the wrist action? Well, that’s hard to say, but whatever the maneuver, it was used in fine fashion Saturday at Acton Fair, when women of all ages vied to pitch a steel skillet as far as they could.

Winners were to receive plaques and bragging rights.

At the signups Saturday, women from near and far agreed to enter the ring and fling a skillet. Charlene Horst of Lebanon was among them. She earned third place overall in 2013 ”“ her first-ever attempt.

There were some new entrants, too. Patty Miller of Merrimack, New Hampshire, and her friend Charlene Schwach of Buffalo, New York, in the area for the weekend, were ready.

“We looked up the fair activities and said, ”˜We should do that,’” Miller said.

“Our husbands think this is the funniest thing we’ve ever done,” said Schwach.

In the early round of 18- to 29-year-olds, Lauren St. Pierre seemed to be the one to beat, throwing the skillet 50 feet, 4 inches. But there were many more lining up to take their chance at being named the victor ”“ there were categories for 30- to 45-year-olds, 46- to 64-year-olds, and 65 and older.

Earlier Saturday, antique tractors, fire trucks, folks driving collectible automobiles, veterans groups and others, including a bevy of people running for political office in November, took part in the Acton Fair Parade. Among the parade participants was Gov. Paul LePage, whom folks said stayed around for about an hour or more before heading off to another event.

So how was Acton Fair?

“Good, so far,” said President Arvid Roberts on Saturday.

The weather cooperated, for the most part, and people were walking and chatting and visiting the animal barns or listening to a sales pitch from a man selling tractors. The little ones were interested in the carnival rides, and one young fellow seemed especially fond of strawberry vanilla ice cream. The 7-year-old paused briefly from concentrating on his cone to say the ice cream was good.

The 149th Acton Fair wound down Sunday, but organizers won’t be pausing long. They’ll be planning next year’s fair, putting their heads together to come up with some special activities to mark the fair’s 150th year.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].