This year marks the 44th edition of Elizabethtown’s fair, which traditionally kicks off fair season in Lancaster County. The fair was originally held at Elizabethtown College, where festivities and competitive events were held in two tents. Thanks to a partnership among the fair, the Elizabethtown Area School District and Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, the fair now makes its home on acreage that adjoins the high school and church.

The fair prides itself on its agricultural roots, as it offers visitors the opportunity to see the various components of agriculture: how food is grown, livestock, and the newest machinery and technology. The talents of area home bakers and cooks are also on display as the fair hosts the highly competitive PA Preferred Chocolate Baking, Blue Ribbon Apple Pie and Angel Food Cake contests among others.

The fair also signals the beginning of competition season for market livestock, i.e. lambs, goats, swine, and beef and dairy cows.

And, there are contests for those who are not connected to the farm, including photography (babies and pets), arts and crafts (which are auctioned on Friday night), and frog jumping. Cornhole and Buck Shot tournaments are also held.

Children’s activities include pie eating, mini hay bale tossing and egg & spoon races. The always-popular Celebrity Milking Contest attracts a large audience. The fair also hosts a talent show and a Senior King and Queen contest, which is held Wednesday, Senior Citizen’s Day.

Demonstrations are also held and include fleece-to-shawl, sheep herding and martial arts. The always-popular petting zoo is a favorite with the fair’s youngest visitors.

E-town also crowns a Fair Queen. The fair’s 2013 queen, Lia Schmittel, went on to become the State Fair Queen, while last year’s queen, Madison Rivera, finished in the top 5 in state competition.

The fair also boasts other bragging rights. The fair’s secretary, Dr. Sally Nolt, was elected to serve as the vice president of the Pennsylvania Association of County Fairs, which oversees the state’s 109 fairs. After serving a two-year term, Dr. Nolt will become the president of the association.

The association also sponsors a contest for the fairs. Last year, the Elizabethtown Fair claimed four first-prizes in various categories as well as a third-place award, which resulted in the fair taking Best of Show honors.

The fair also has a fun component, as there is a Midway with rides (cost-saving promos are held each day), plus nightly entertainment (Flamin’ Dick & the Hot Rods will perform Thursday night).

Last, but not least, is the food component. You name it, and E-town probably has it. Many civic organizations and church groups have food stands through which funding is raised for community projects. One of the most popular is the Elizabethtown Area Grange’s milkshake stand, where the secret ingredient is ice cream. Last year the buzz centered around a bacon-flavored milkshake that one of the stands devised. Also of note is the auction of baked goods from the various contests that is held Tuesday evening.

The fair wraps up with fireworks Saturday night.

In the spring of 1981, Denver residents interested in launching a community fair met at a local restaurant to discuss their options. The enthusiasm for the project prompted the group of volunteers to organize a fair for that September.

Apparently, the organizers’ enthusiasm for the event was shared by area residents as more than 5,000 descended on the park on the first day of the two-day fair. Entertainment included a Friday night parade and a performance by the Younger Brothers, whose stage was a flat-bed truck.

Initially, the fair committee operated as an offshoot of the Denver Lions Club. However, in 1990, the committee applied for nonprofit status with the state. Today, the committee, which is comprised of 17 members (and is backed by hundreds of volunteers), sponsors events outside of the fair and plays an important role in the beautification and upkeep of the park, thanks to donations totaling more than $200,000. The Denver Fair also provides a Cocalico High School senior with a scholarship each year.

Over the years, the fair has grown into a five-day event that salutes agriculture, local businesses, education, family and community. While the parade is no longer held, the fair’s creative minds have devised contests that have helped to attract as many as 80,000 visitors on an annual basis. Consider the event that generated the most notoriety (and press coverage): Cow Chip Poker (or Bingo). The premise is simple: a field is divided into squares that are “sold” to the public; when all the squares are sold, a cow is released to do its thing. The winner of the contest is determined by where the “chips” fall.

Other attention-generating events devised by Denver’s fair committee include the current Jell-O Eating and Celebrity Hot Wing Eating contests. In the past, contestants have vied for top honors in Boy George Look Alike and Smelly Sneaker competitions.

Traditional events also distinguish the Denver Fair. You can play bingo to your heart’s content, as the game is made available on all five days of the fair. There’s also a Pet Show and a Baby Parade. Livestock shows are held during the week, with a Friday auction culminating the competition. Baked goods are auctioned on Tuesday evening. The highly competitive Bucket Brigade Contest is waged on Friday. A Business Expo will be held on Wednesday evening.

Miss Denver Fair is crowned on Tuesday evening. The fair takes pride in the fact that Beth Paul, Denver’s queen in 1994, went on to become the State Fair Queen.

Entertainment includes a salute to Celebrating Music in Our Schools, which is presented by the Cocalico School District. This year’s fair will close with rock ‘n roll, courtesy of Flamin’ Dick & the Hot Rods.

The always-popular Midway features 25 rides (money-saving plans are offered each day).

And, of course, there’s food, and lots of it, as 100 food stands (many operated by community groups) and concessions fill the park.

In the spring of 1950, Edna Groff approached Sadie Greenleaf, who was the president of County Farm Women, with an idea to hold a fair in the Southern End of the county. In May individuals from six organizations representing farm women met at the fire hall in Quarryville to explore Groff’s idea. The women were excited at the prospect of holding a fair and proposed to move forward with the project. Greenleaf contacted the county agent, the principal of Solanco High School (as well as the chair of the school’s agriculture department), local banks and service organizations to gauge their level of interest. A June meeting brought the interested parties together. The fair was a go! Thanks to the volunteer effort, a fair was scheduled to take place that September. Jerome H. Rhoads offered the use of his property for the livestock shows and other events, while the fire department and downtown businesses donated their buildings for displays and exhibits.

The Southern Lancaster County Fair Association was off and running. Solanco was – and remains – decidedly different than other area fairs as its bylaws stipulate that gambling, concessions and a carnival atmosphere are not permitted. The sole intent was to foster a community event that honors agriculture, the talents of its residents, local businesses and community.

The plan worked beautifully; through the decades, the Solanco Fair has grown by leaps and bounds. By 1966 the popularity of the fair prompted it to move to Legion Park. The purchase of 5 acres on the edge of the park allowed for the association to build its first permanent building, which was named in honor of dedicated volunteers John C. Hoffman and his wife, Sara. In 1982 another 19 acres were purchased. Over the years, several more permanent buildings have been constructed, including a show barn, a pole building for livestock, a large show ring (with seating) and another building that promotes the dairy industry.

So, without the allure of a Midway, what’s there to do? Plenty! Livestock shows are highly competitive. The buildings are filled with exhibits that range from arts & crafts to floral arrangements. The bounty from area gardens is also on display. Area bakers go to battle at this fair, as it offers the opportunity to go to the Pennsylvania Farm Show thanks to the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie, PA Incredible Angel Food and PA Preferred Chocolate contests.

Tradition is also a cornerstone of the fair. The parade, which dates to 1952, is always held on Wednesday night of fair week. This year’s theme is Country Scene – Blue Ribbon Dreams. The Baby Parade is also popular. Tractor (antique and classic) pulls also dot the schedule as does a pedal tractor pull for youngsters. There’s also an Iron Man contest, and celebs are in the house for a milking contest. However, the most eagerly anticipated event is probably the Tug-of-War competition among local fire companies. The winner earns $500.

The Solanco Fair is a food-lover’s paradise. The Quarryville Lions Club’s French fries, which made their debut in 1957, are legendary. The fair’s Dairy Bar, which dates to 1960, is known far and wide for its milkshakes. Other civic organizations are on hand to tempt visitors with their own house specialties; proceeds help to fund charitable projects in the community. Hess’s Barbecue is the only commercial business that is on the premises.

Volunteers also prepare homemade daily specials that are available at the Hoffman Community Building. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday – chicken pot pie and vegetable soup; Thursday – chicken corn soup, beef stew and ham supper; Friday – hot roast beef sandwich, chicken corn soup and ham & bean soup.

West Lampeter’s fair originated in 1924 when projects of students who attended the West Lampeter Vocational School were displayed over the course of three days in late October at the West Lampeter High School. The fair was incorporated in 1929 and a year later, it was officially named The Community Fair. Dairy judging began in 1925, with Guernsey calf and swine competitions getting underway for the first time in 1928. Thanks to a grant from the state in 1931, the fair was able to expand as the funding allowed for the rental of two tents that were used to house dairy animals and commercial displays. Over the next decade more exhibits were added to the schedule.

Land for the fairgrounds was purchased in 1948. A year later, the property hosted its first fair. Since then, various buildings have been constructed, and the purchase of an additional 16 acres provides for added parking. The initial four-page premium book has grown to 300 pages.

West Lampeter’s focus has always been on agriculture, family and community, and to providing a “wholesome educational experience for all ages.” Like neighboring Solanco (and Manheim), the fair has no Midway. However, the fair is not void of entertainment; over the years, athletic events, concerts, plays and even a 20-mule-team show have been enjoyed by visitors to the fair.

The fair’s first queen was crowned in 1958, only then, the young lady was known as the livestock queen. Candidates, who represent various school-based and agricultural clubs, must first compose an essay to qualify for the honor. Today, the candidates for fair queen parade to the fairgrounds accompanied by the Lampeter-Strasburg Marching Band. Candidates then field random questions posed by the judges.

The fair received an honor when Jacqueline Pratt, the 2001 Fair Queen, went on to become the 2002 State Fair Queen.

The fair also hosts a baby parade, children’s petting zoo, the Community Fair Restaurant, a pet show, tractor pulls, a tractor parade, an auction of baked goods, a soup cook-off, pig races and a tug-of-war contest. Commercial exhibits have grown to such an extent that four tents are required to house them. On Friday the fair stages an all-Western horse show. Civic organizations host an array of food stands.

West Lampeter also has some unique aspects. On the Sunday before the fair, a community hymn sing is held at area churches. Its board of directors is a blend of farmers, business people and community volunteers who value what the fair means to that area of the county (the original board had 13 members and has grown to its current 45 members). The fair also takes pride in the Youth Encouragement Awards program that has resulted in increased participation by the younger members of the community in such areas as baking, canning, art, sewing, plants and animals.

Welcome to the largest street fair in Pennsylvania and the oldest fair in Lancaster County! The fair is already crowing over the fact that next year will mark its 100th anniversary.

It all began in 1919, when Ephrata wanted to welcome its soldiers home from the war front with a special celebration. Area businesses devised a one-day celebration along Main Street as a way to say thank you to the returning soldiers and generate funding for the community park.

The event proved to be so popular that a harvest theme was used to carry it forward in 1920. By 1922 the fair had grown to three days and was given an official name: Ephrata Farmers Day Fair. Ten years later, the fair was incorporated as the Ephrata Farmers Day Association. It grew to four days and gained a parade!

Over the course of the next two decades, the fair continued to grow to the point that agricultural and commercial shows and exhibits could no longer be accommodated in the downtown area. In 1956 they were moved to Grater Memorial Park, where they took up residence in what is called Tent City.
The move allowed the downtown area to expand into a street fair complete with rides, concessions and vendors. Community groups also set up food stands in the downtown area.

Grater Memorial Park is also teeming with activity. Beef and dairy cattle, swine, lambs, goats and more are judged throughout the week. Bakers compete for admission to the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Ephrata also features a cheesecake competition. Tent City is also home to the popular food stand operated by the Ephrata Area Young Farmers Association, as well as others that are sponsored by various community groups. On Tuesday evening, Tent City will kick off festivities with a Bar-B-Q Pork Chop dinner.

On Wednesday evening, the entire town turns out for the Ephrata Parade. If you’re not familiar with the parade route, all you need to do is drive through Ephrata on Sunday afternoon and follow the chairs that have been placed along the curb in order to reserve prime viewing spots. Reserving those spots got so out of hand at one point that Ephrata was forced to decree that no chairs will be placed along the curb before noon on the Sunday before the parade. The parade also embodies community spirit in a unique way: An endeavor called Parade Night Food Collection supports the Ephrata Area Social Services Food Bank.

Besides taking in the Midway and the events at Tent City, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. The Baby Parade is held on Saturday of Fair Week; this year marks its 57th edition. There’s a tug-of-war contest, as well as tractor pulls and a talking turkey contest. Wednesday is reserved as Senior Cititzens Day, while Thursday is Kiddies Day. There’s also a Family Fun Night. There’s bingo, too.

Attendees will also be treated to a sneak peek of the festivities that are planned for 2018. They will be able to pre-order a commemorative anniversary book. A quarter-toss game that hearkens to the early days of the fair will serve as a fundraiser for the centennial celebration. And, this year’s parade will salute the upcoming anniversary by adding a 100th celebration category. “The Ephrata Fair has set Ephrata apart and has stood the test of time,” says Beth Quickel, who is chairing the 100th Anniversary Committee.

No doubt the celebration will pause to salute Lancaster County’s own Miss America (1954), Evelyn Ay, who began her quest for the crown by winning the Miss Lancaster County pageant, which was traditionally held in Ephrata on the Saturday night of Fair Week. She went on to become Miss Pennsylvania and to this day is the only state representative to become Miss America.

In 1927 five people, who were impressed by the success of fairs in communities such as Ephrata, Lititz and Manheim, proposed the idea of launching a Farmers Day Association in New Holland. The venture moved forward, and New Holland’s inaugural two-day fair was held October 21-22, 1927. Virtually every business in the downtown area donated window space for the purpose of displaying exhibits. The high school was pressed into service as well. Streets were closed so that vehicles, farm equipment and household appliances could be properly displayed. Food stands also filled the streets, and the City Band of Lancaster performed. Attendance was estimated to be as high as 18,000.

It seemed that New Holland had a hit on its hands, and the organizers were thrilled by the event’s success and the fact that they had $217.29 leftover after paying expenses. The decision was made to plan a fair for the following year, which just happened to mark New Holland’s 200th anniversary. Expanded to three days (October 18-20), organizers were able to close additional streets and add more exhibits. Attendance doubled!

In 1933 the New Holland Farmers Day Association was incorporated. A year later, a Mummers-style parade made its debut, offering $40 in prize money. The Baby Parade also stepped off for the first time, as did an Industrial Parade and a horse show. By 1935 women were permitted to participate in the corn-husking contest.

Fairs were not held during the war years (1941-45). Following the fair’s return, it grew to include a fourth day; music and rides were added in 1949. In 1952 the parade, which is always held Wednesday night, was officially named the Spectacle of Bands.

Over the course of the next several decades, the fair reflected the times in which we live. For example, an adult hula-hoop contest was waged in 1958. In 1960 political rallies were held for presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon on two separate nights. In 1969 a Handcraft Show debuted, reflecting the country’s love of crafting. A Tug-of-War contest for women was waged for the first time in 1970. Due to a lack of participants, it lasted only two years and was replaced by the Ladies Bucket Brigade.

The Fireman’s Tug-of-War contest is one of the signature events of the fair. Its purse has grown to $600 for the winning team, $500 for the runner-up and $400 for the third-place finisher. Fourth place earns $300, while the other teams are awarded $50 consolation prizes. Seven banks and three other businesses sponsor the event, which is held rain or shine on Thursday and Saturday nights. Last year, the team from Intercourse took top honors.

Another contest has also gained notoriety. In 2005 the Long John Eating contest – sponsored by Achenbach’s Pastries – kicked off. The concept is simple: Kids are given three Long Johns, while teens get six and adults nine (plus, each receives a bottle of spring water), and whoever devours them first wins their division. The rules state that they must be eaten in their entirety and upchucking immediately disqualifies you. Last year’s adult winner, Justin Lana of Lititz (who claimed the adult purse of $40 for his effort), consumed nine Long Johns in 4 minutes and 3.36 seconds.

Then there is the winner of the apple pie baking contest: He or she earns $500 for his or her efforts.

Of course, the fair’s main focus is on agriculture. Numerous livestock shows are held in the tented area on Franklin Street throughout Fair Week. In 2009 the association purchased the Meke Building in New Holland, making it possible to display nearly all the exhibits under one roof.

There are also special events such as the pet parade, a tractor-driving contest and horseshoe pitching. The younger generation can participate in Kid’s Day and a pedal power contest (both are held Friday). Community groups and civic organizations also sponsor an array of food stands.

Manheim’s present-day Farm Show was launched in the early ’50s, when the Community Farm Show Association was reorganized (for a second time). According to the book, Manheim Revisited, the tradition of holding a Farm Show in Manheim dates to the 1920s when it was first held in the basement of the Waughtel Moving Picture House on West Ferdinand Street. Two years later, large tents set up on Market Square played host to the show.

The show disbanded for several years, but returned in 1931 under the leadership of Ammon H. Bucher. For the next 10 years, the show operated out of tents on Market Square and on properties owned by local businesses. Amusement rides were added to the event during this period.

After reorganizing in the ’50s, the show continued on Market Square, as well as at the Fire Hall, Scout Hall and on property owned by Spahr’s Garage. The focus of the fair returned to showcasing animals, arts & crafts, sewing, cooking and baking projects, and farm-related equipment.

Today, the association maintains fairgrounds that are located between Manheim Central High School and Chiques Creek. The location has its challenges. In 2011 Tropical Storm Lee caused the Chiques to overflow its banks and deposit up to 4 feet of water in the fairgrounds’ buildings. Volunteers spent the next month cleaning and readying the buildings for the fair, which went on without a hitch. Prior to the fair, the association gave back to the community by welcoming the borough to use the property as a distribution center to aid those affected by the flooding.

Two years later, flooding overwhelmed Manheim, causing many fair activities to be relocated or canceled. But, Manheim vowed to forge on. The good news is that the fairgrounds continue to grow and improve. A new Exhibit Building was completed in 2013 and this year, a remodeled and enlarged Champions Arena is set to make its debut.

As in other communities, volunteerism is what drives the success of Manheim’s fair. But, even before the fair gets underway, fundraising is ongoing through such events as a chicken barbecue and a golf tournament. During Fair Week, volunteers donate an estimated 5,000 hours to their hometown event.

Food stands, which are operated by civic and community groups, generated nearly $110,000 last year, all of which was redirected back to the community.

One such stand is operated by the Farm Show Committee, whose expertise is French fries. In the days leading up to the fair, volunteers peel 6 to 7 tons of the freshly dug spuds that are donated by Walnut Run Farms. They are hand-cut at the stand in order to ensure freshness. Earl Moyer, who has volunteered for the effort for 50 years (and chaired it for a large chunk of that time before “retiring” in 2015), shared the following observation with Rochelle Shenk (for the Lititz Record Express): “That’s what makes them so good. Plus, we do our fries the old-fashioned way – we fry them in lard.” Nearly 200 volunteers are involved in keeping fairgoers plied with fries. Through their efforts, as well as those of other ag-minded groups, $240,000 was raised for 4-H and FFA projects last year.

Of course, fries and milkshakes go hand-in-hand at a fair. In Manheim, the stand to hit for a shake is operated by the Manheim Brethren in Christ Church. Last year they sold more than 14,000 milkshakes!
While Manheim Young Farmers don’t operate a food stand, they do make a significant contribution to the Manheim Food Pantry by conducting a food drive during Fair Week. The food pantry and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank also benefited from the 2,000 pounds of meat that were donated to them through the Youth Livestock Sale.

Several years ago, fairgoers also helped the Manheim Police Department raise funding for a K9 Unit.

The fair is also deeply rooted in tradition. A queen is crowned Monday night, and baked goods are auctioned a night later. There is a parade Wednesday evening and a livestock auction Friday.

Innovation helps to keep the fair a vital part of Manheim. Last year a theme-basket competition and auction made its debut. Cooking demos were also held. Chainsaw artists were in action. And, the Children’s Farm Show has proved to be very popular with the youngest attendees as it provides an entertaining way to explain the farm-to-fork process.