- The 171st Allentown Fair will be held Wednesday through Monday, Sept. 4 at the fairgrounds, 17th and Liberty streets in Allentown
- Wednesday's opening is highlighted by a concert by REO Speedwagon and Styx on the grandstand stage
- The fair will have rides, exhibits, various types of foods and drinks, and judged contests of animals and produce
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Great Allentown Fair is back.
So, too, is Scott Williamson.
Burly and bearded, Williamson, 60, a Bethlehem native, is 111 years younger than the fair.
But he's back for a 44th year, the past 30 as maintenance supervisor.
He's back again for the love of helping put together an incredible and highly anticipated Lehigh Valley celebration that begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday and runs through 9 p.m. Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4.
“The fair is in my blood."Scott Williamson, maintenance supervisor, Allentown Fair
Williamson is back to coordinate and ensure everything at the fair — the venues, vendors, main stage, the electricity, every structure large and small, every “i” dotted and “t” crossed — is just perfect for the 200,000 visitors expected over the six-day event.
Williamson is back because ... ?
“Because the fair is in my blood,” Williamson said Tuesday while seated in a golf cart near the main grandstand stage, where final preparations were being made for the opening night concert featuring REO Speedwagon and Styx.
“Being able to be involved in transforming the fairgrounds from an empty parking lot to what it becomes for the opening of the fair is very important to me," Williamson said.
"We start getting ready almost three months before the fair; painting some things, reconfiguring others.
"I love it. And I’ll keep doing it as long as I stay healthy.”
Foods, entertainment, eye-opening attractions
Allentown Fair, rated among the Top 75 fairs in America, again will present an eclectic mix of foods, treats, entertainment, games and exhibits to delight all ages and interests across 46 acres of the fairgrounds.
“There's nothing better to do from Wednesday through Labor Day than come to the fair. We have something for everyone.”Allentown Fair Marketing and Entertainment Manager Jessica Ciecwisz
Presented by Lehigh County Agricultural Society in 1852, the fair began as a community celebration to advance agriculture, livestock, domestic and mechanical arts in the Lehigh Valley.
This year’s theme, “Home Grown Fun,” was selected by the marketing department.
Among the attractions at this year’s fair — many of which are free — are the judging of farm animals at Agri-Plex Square; pig races on ground and in a swimming pool; The Flying Wallendas performing high-wire acts, trampoline acrobats soaring up to 25 feet; BMX stunt shows; judging of homegrown vegetables, products and herbs from the region’s farms, gardens and homes; an Iron Chef competition; a petting zoo; events for children; exhibits' carnival rides; and so much more.
An eye-opening attraction in the Agra-Plex building is a 740-pound pumpkin named Dora. Owned by Lorrie Rauch of New Tripoli, the giant squash won first place in its category in judging Tuesday.
'A great fair'
Among the new attractions are two Midway rides — Tesla and Wipeout — and events by the Lehigh Valley Homebrewers on Monday.
"We can't wait for people to taste our food. We're excited to be here."Ronald Starliper, owner of Smokin' Soul BBQ, of Chambersburg, Franklin County
“There's nothing better to do from Wednesday through Labor Day than come to the fair,” Allentown Fair Marketing and Entertainment Manager Jessica Ciecwisz said. “We have something for everyone.”
While many of the vendors have been part of the fair for many years, others are new to the event — one even traveling to Allentown from 2 1/2 hours away.
"This is a great fair and we wanted to be here this year," said Ronald Starliper, owner of Smokin' Soul BBQ, of Chambersburg, Franklin County.
"We can't wait for people to taste our food. We're excited to be here."
