County fairs bring business to communities
Kathryn Yingling and sons Jackson, 3, and Oliver, 20 months, all of Bedford, ride the kids’ coaster at the Bedford County Fair in 2023. — Courtesy photo
Clearfield event kicks off the season July 17-25
By Walt Frank
wfrank@altoonamirror.com
County and local fair season is nearly upon us and they remain big business as grandstand shows, livestock competitions, musical entertainment, games, rides and vendors draw crowds to celebrate summer.
A 2024 survey ordered by the state Department of Agriculture found that Pennsylvania’s 107 county and local fairs contribute $1.14 billion to the state’s economy annually. A seasonal backbone of the state’s $76 billion tourism industry, Pennsylvania fairs support more than 10,700 full-time jobs, and four million annual fair visitors spend $673 million in the largely rural communities where fairs are held.
For every dollar invested by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in the state’s county and local agricultural fairs, the Commonwealth sees $286 in economic impact and $5 in state fiscal returns. This investment drives significant benefits, showcasing the immense value of these events to Pennsylvania’s economy and communities, according to the survey.
Fairs in Pennsylvania serve as economic engines that generate revenue, create jobs, and promote regional development across the state. The fairs attract thousands of visitors, boosting local tourism and generating revenue for nearby businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and shops. Fairs create temporary employment opportunities for local residents, from event staff to vendors and performers. Farmers and agricultural producers benefit from the chance to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers, while also competing for prizes that can enhance their reputation and market value, the survey said.
“America was born in Pennsylvania 250 years ago. Agriculture continues to provide its promise and prosperity. Fairs are our chance to experience our heritage and learn how agriculture continues to shape Pennsylvania’s prosperous present and bright future.” said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.
“Our nation was born right here in Pennsylvania from courage, hard work, and determination. Our farmers continue to ‘Grow A Nation’ even 250 years later. I was proud to kick off 2026 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show — Pennsylvania’s State Fair, and to proudly celebrate the hard-working farmers growing our nation, community by community,” Governor Josh Shapiro said.
Clearfield County Fair, July 17-25
The 165th Clearfield County Fair kicks off the local fair season and runs July 17-25.
Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment, the carnival provider since 2024, will return to the fair.
Entertainment highlights this year include platinum selling country artist Gavin Adcock on July 19; Bull Ride Mania on July 22; truck and tractor pulls on July 23 and Everclear, an American rock band formed in Portland, Oregon, in 1992, with Sister Hazel on July 25.
Bedford County Fair, July 26-Aug. 1
The 152nd Bedford County Fair will be held July 26-Aug. 1.
Highlights include demolition derbies on Sunday and Thursday; Military Appreciation Day and a voice contest on Monday; Bull Ride Mania on Tuesday and Wednesday; auto racing on Friday and truck and tractor pulls on Saturday.
The fair will have some America250 related activities, said Bill Hoover, fair president.
“We are working with the chamber of commerce on a liberty bell to display at Jordan Hall.
Our junior fair board will have 15 plus kids wear costumes that are America 250 related. They will walk around the fair grounds, the midway and grandstands areas,” Hoover said.
The fair plans to reinstate the Cavalcade of Livestock and Antique Tractor Parade at 5 p.m. Thursday after the demolition derby.
“Years ago we did a parade of animals, we will do that around the track. We hope that it will become a tradition again,” Hoover said.
Hoover said the fair is best known for its livestock.
“What sets us apart is our livestock, we consider it second to none. The Saturday livestock sale is big, last year it brought in nearly $600,000. We have over 800 farm animals,” Hoover said.
The fair will have about 50 food and merchandise vendors on the ground and another 20 inside Jordan Hall, Hoover said.
Huntingdon County Fair, Aug. 9-15
The Huntingdon County Fair will be held Aug. 9-15.
Entertainment highlights include mini tractor pulls and Honky Tonk Twins, classic country and rockabilly music on Sunday; Richie and the High Street Rockers and a demotion derby on Monday; the Mack Berry Band on Tuesday; Wednesday will be Senior Citizens Day and Veterans Day with entertainment by Dave and Galla, Heather Olson with a tribute to Patsy Cline, an antique tractor pull and a talent show; Uptown Band featuring Erich Cawalla and a truck and tractor pull on Thursday; truck pulls and music by Make Mine Country and the Malpass Brothers on Friday; a pedal tractor pull and demolition derby and music by Celebration of the America Musical, the Big Band Sound and Chris Woodward and Shindiggin on Saturday.
The fair has events planned in conjunction with America250, said Debbie Bigelow, fair board secretary.
“We will have extra red, white and blue decorations, there will be a time capsule in the farm museum where people can write notes. Extra things at the farm museum centered around 250 years are on display,” Bigelow said.
Last year’s attendance was above and beyond, we expect the same if the weather holds out, Bigelow said.
“We have close to 1,000 animals on the grounds thanks to FFA, 4H and open class entries. Fair food is always a highlight. We have a couple hundred food and merchandise vendors, some inside the building. Our amusement rides are safe and clean. For our area we have a lot packed on the grounds,” Bigelow said.
Grange Fair, Aug. 21-19
The 152nd Centre County Grange Fair, the only renaming encampment in the United States, will be held Aug. 21-19. The fair is a home away from home to families in 1,000 tents and 1,500 RVs.
Event highlights include a truck pull on Friday; farm tractor pull and tractor pull on Saturday; garden tractor pull on Sunday; interstate tractor pull on Monday; Grange Fair Rodeo on Tuesday; pedal tractor pull and side by side drag racing on Wednesday; light farm tractor pull on Thursday; and two day spectacular Atlantic Pro Pulling League National Event on Friday and Saturday.
Free concerts include Collin Raye on Friday; John Foster on Saturday; Shenandoah on Monday; Gloryway on Tuesday; Emily Ann Roberts on Wednesday; Invasion on Thursday; Leanna Crawford on Friday and Richie and the High Street Rockers on Saturday.
Cambria County fair, Sept. 6-12
The Cambria County American Legion Fair will be held Sept. 6-12.
Highlights include Bull Ride Mania on Sunday; Darryl Worley and Andy Griggs on Monday; semi tractor trailer truck pull on Tuesday; quad and 4×4 drag racing on Wednesday; compact demolition derby on Thursday and large car demolition derby on Friday.
Community fairs also planned
Blair County is home to five smaller community fairs — Morrisons Cove Dairy Show, Williamsburg Community Farm Show, Claysburg Farm Show, Sinking Valley Fair and Hollidaysburg Community Fair.
The Morrisons Cove Dairy Show will be held Aug. 3-7.
“This year marks our 75th year, that is important to us. Wednesday will be the highlight of the show, the pie and ice cream festival with milk provided by Ritchey’s Dairy,” President Jason Bechtel said. “We have had about 165 animals the last three years registered for the show, there is potential to have more this year. We have a good quality show, a really good class of cows to be exhibited and shown. The Cove has a foundation of dairy farms, that makes the judging more complicated, we have a well run show and hope to keep the historic value.”
The Williamsburg Community Farm Show will be held Aug.23-28.
The highlights are all the new events we are bringing in this year.
“Attendance was up last year, we are hopeful that the attendance is up again this year. We have a number of new events to get the public involved in the farm show — Figure 8 Races, UTV pulls and Zero Turn mower rodeo,” President Jeff Walason said.
The show will feature about 6,000 exhibits and in conjunction with America250 some special contests are all red white and blue themed, Walason said.
The 95th Claysburg Farm Show will be held Sept. 8-12 at a new location, according to Aaron Hileman, president of the Claysburg Farm Show.
“We have moved to the Greenfield Township Community Center near the school. One of our people is a teacher, we hope to have students become more involved,” Hileman said.
The show had been held at the former Queen grade school in Queen since the late 1990s.
Hileman said the show is best known for its craft room.
“We have a lot of talented people who make quilts and blankets,” Hileman said.
He also said the show also has an antique room.
“I didn’t realize how special it is, not many others do it, people find that interesting,” Hileman said.
The show is planning a patriotic contest in conjunction with America250.
“People can create anything patriotic, cakes, aprons, quilts, maybe a patriotic vegetable or fruit display. Anything is eligible,” Hileman said.
The Sinking Valley Fair will be held Sept. 15-19.
“We will have a sexy tractor contest. People will take an 8 by 10 picture of a tractor and fix it up, the winner will get $25. We will have a garden tractor pulling contest Saturday afternoon. We are bringing back the Bucket of Junk, it went really well,” President Gary Long said. “We will have about ten vendors selling crafts and food. We are bringing back the ham pot pie, that is always a big seller. And the third annual chili contest will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 17, you must register in advance.”
The Hollidaysburg Community Fair will be held Sept. 21-24.
The fair has an event planned in conjunction with America250,
“Last year people submitted 12 by 12 patriotic squares, this year the Chimney Rocks Quilting Guild is assembling them into a patriotic quilt that they will be selling to benefit the farm show. Last year we had 18 entries,” Vice President Luke Helsel said.“Something new this year is an antique division with tools and household goods. We don’t have animals or food vendors.”