Celebrating its sixth decade of bringing festivities, entertainment and education to the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania, the Fayette County Fair is in full swing and will be welcoming thousands who will pass through its gates through its close Saturday night.
“It's still the best bargain in the area,” Fayette County Fair board of directors president Bill Jackson said of the fair, which is marking its 60th anniversary this year.
The 90 acres that house the fair are filled with exhibit buildings, arenas, animal barns, concessions and several individual sites that offer nonprofit organizations and groups the opportunity to make money through fundraising.
Entertainment is always a big draw to the fair, and Jackson said that this year will be no exception as the grounds will be filled with music on a daily basis.
“We have a lot of new musical acts coming this year and some of the older ones that people really enjoy,” Jackson said. “I think it's a really good lineup this year.”
Jackson said that the fair board has kept busy in the off season, completing several construction projects to many of the buildings, such as roofing, painting and restroom upgrades. Air conditioning was added to the Fiddlers Building, he said.
Jackson said that one of the exhibit buildings will now house antique farm equipment that was previously located outside, and he thinks that the public may enjoy the indoor displays better.
Special gate discounts and free admittance offers again will be available this year.
“It's still a good price for admittance only having to pay the one price, but there are people who like the special offers,” Jackson said of the special offers that do not include carnival rides or Chevron Arena events. “They can get in for free and just walk around if they like.”
The indoor exhibits are again at a high, with thousands of canned goods, fresh produce, 4-H displays and much more filling the buildings that are located throughout the fairgrounds.
“People's gardens are doing really good this year,” Fair Entry Secretary Chris Rozak said, adding that last year, the numbers were up for the indoor exhibits and the trend is continuing. “Some people come and enter over a hundred things. You always see something different.”
In addition to the nightly musical entertainment and big-draw events such as the demolition derby, the Monster Truck Races and the 4X4 Quad Mud races, the fair will feature daily events such as the Zerbini Family Circus, Pig Gone Wild Races, Barnyard Petting Zoo, R&S Woodcarving and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Mobile Ag Lab.
Jackson said that last year, the estimated total gate admittance for 10 days was 92,500.
“That is what we typically do,” Jackson said.
The fair will continue through its close at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 2, and organizers hope for clear skies and mild weather.
“Naturally, we like to see good weather and it's important,” Jackson said. “We hope to see the crowds again this year, and like I always say, you pay one price and it's a great bargain.”
Today is church bulletin day. Anyone bringing in a church bulletin dated today will be admitted free until 2 p.m. Monday is veterans day, when any veteran with proper ID will be admitted for free until 2 p.m. Tuesday is Fayette County Food Bank Day: anyone bringing in at least three canned goods will be admitted free until 2 p.m.
All free admittances do not include carnival rides or Chevron Arena event.
Regular gate prices will be $13.
Early-bird admission for those coming before 4 p.m. will be $11.
For a full schedule, visit the fair website, www.fayettefair.com.
Marilyn Forbes is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.
