Fairgrounds will get more seating

The Westmoreland Fairgrounds will have some additional seating this year with the help of a $25,000 matching grant from the state Department of Agriculture.

Jim Nicola, executive director of the fair, said a new section of seating for 600 will be added to the grandstand, bringing the total capacity to 5,000. The project is expected to be completed by July 15.

Nicola said the grandstand was moved to the north end of the fairgrounds in 1991. Some seats were considered too outdated for use. This is another move toward bringing the capacity close to the 8,000 of the old grandstand.

The capital improvements grant is part of the department's Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Program.

The annual fair has been held since 1955. It has been at its present location near the village of Mutual in Mt. Pleasant Township since 1957.

This year's fair is scheduled for Aug. 17-25.