- The Great Allentown Fair returns on Wednesday, Aug. 30, to Monday, Sept. 4
- Grandstand headliners are REO Speedwagon & Styx, Tyler Hubbard, Nelly, Yung Gravy and Keith Urban
- Organizers are expecting larger crowds this year; discounts on tickets are still available
MORE: Nashville hot chicken balls? Bacon on a stick? New foods this year at the Great Allentown Fair
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Year after year, it's the giant Ferris wheel lighting up the sky at The Great Allentown Fair that Jessica Ciecwisz said amazes her.
"It always makes me stop when I walk out that first night," said Ciecwisz, the fair's marketing and entertainment manager. "It's relatively new and has all these beautiful LED lights."
The gondola in the sky made its debut on the fairgrounds in 2021 and is among the thrilling amusement rides at the summer send-off.
Fair staff said there's no shortage of excitement lined up, including grandstand concerts, rides, cooking competitions, a demolition derby and several agricultural contests and shows.
The six-day spread, now in its 171st year, begins Wednesday, Aug. 30, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4.
History in the making
The fair is presented by the Lehigh County Agricultural Society (founded in 1852) and 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 (some of past themes include "Light It Up," for the fairground's cupola, which sits atop the landmark grandstand of the fairgrounds).
It's the third year the fair has returned since being canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions — only the fourth cancellation in its history, including in 1862, during the Civil War when the 176th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry used the fairgrounds, and in 1917 and 1918 during World War l.
"It seems there is an increase in attendance for 2023 and we're hoping to see regular numbers that we saw in 2019."Jessica Ciecwisz, Allentown Fair's marketing and entertainment manager
Nowadays, organizers said they're concerned more about inclement weather, though the health and safety of patrons is a top concern.
"We've added additional handwashing stations," Ciecwisz said. "Hygiene was always [of] the upmost importance, especially on the west end of the fairgrounds because of the live animals.
"The good thing is that a lot of our facility is outdoors."
Staff said it is preparing for a larger crowd in 2023 for the six-day spectacle (it changed from seven days to six days in 2021).
"In 2021, when we came back we had a great year of attendance," Ciecwisz said. "In 2022, it dipped a little bit. It evened out.
"We are a member of an organization that is around with all the local fairs around the country and it seems there is an increase in attendance for 2023 and we're hoping to see regular numbers that we saw in 2019."
Diverse musical lineup
Between the logistics and booking talent, the fair takes about a year to plan, Ciecwisz said.
"We are an agricultural fair, and we are here 171 years because we have the traditional aspects of what a fair is and what people will expect from a fair," she said.
"We are trying to reinvent some aspects of our fair so that we can diversify and attract new and young and new audiences."Jessica Ciecwisz, Allentown Fair marketing and entertainment manager
"But we are trying to reinvent some aspects of our fair so that we can diversify and attract new and young and new audiences.
"We try and keep it unique with the grandstand lineup year to year. This year, especially, is great because it is so unique every day with unique artists bringing a different genre of music."
Headliners are Styx and REO Speedwagon (co-headlining) on Aug. 30; Tyler Hubbard (of Florida Georgia Line) on Aug 31; Nelly on Sept. 1;Yung Gravy on Sept. 2; and Keith Urban on Sept. 3.
For the full lineup and tickets, click here.
For a more intimate (and free) concert experience, visit the Harvest Patio, where regional acts such as Walter Lee, Haney Love, Craig Thatcher, Ferdinand the Bull and Little Brass Band will perform.
For another type of sound, J&J Demolition Derby will bring full-sized cars to the fairground's racetrack to see which driver becomes the "The Beast of the East Champion" in a crash and demolition show on Monday, Sept. 4.
Spotlight on farm life
Agriculture takes center stage at Agri-Land, on the west end of the grounds, where attendees can meet farmers and their furry companions.
An estimated 800 types of animals/livestock will be on display — including cows, goats, horses, sheep, rabbits and pigs — in hopes of winning best in show.
Among the activities are a 4-H barnyard petting zoo, Lil' Farm Hands (meet and milk "Aggie Hall" the robot-like cow) and a judging tent where farmers will showcase the talents of their four-legged friends.
On Saturday, the Lehigh County 4-H will hold its livestock sale.
The squealy and famous Robinson’s Pig Paddling Porkers — swimming swine racers — also are returning to compete at the Machinery Avenue Court throughout the fair week.
Check out the schedule here.
Farm-to-table, bake-offs
There will be several Farm-to-Table series and Iron Chef competition presentations, with chefs from Brick Tavern Inn, Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Kalahari Resort, Composed Catering, Madeline's, La Cocina Del Abuelo, Fountain View at Logan Square and the Institute of Culinary Education.
"This is their Olympics. This is what the farmers, homemakers, gardeners, beer makers, wine makers and crafters plan for every year in hopes of leaving with that coveted blue ribbon."Jessica Ciecwisz, Allentown Fair marketing and entertainment director
The winner of the three rounds will face 2022's winner, Courtney Davenport, sous chef at The Shelby in Lower Macungie Township, for the grand prize.
There also will be several "best of" baking contests, in categories such as crumb cake, fruited cookie, filled cupcake, fresh peach dessert and fruit tart best apple pie.
"This is their Olympics," Ciecwisz said. "This is what the farmers, homemakers, gardeners, beer makers, wine makers and crafters plan for every year in hopes of leaving with that coveted blue ribbon."
Click here for a schedule.
Local royalty
Five local young women will compete in the Fair Queen contest and coronation starting 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to earn the title of Great Allentown Fair Queen 2023 and a $1,500 scholarship, from Lehigh-Northampton Pomona Grange No. 68 and the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market.
Check out their accomplishments here.
What's new
As part of the new fun, the Lehigh Valley Brewer's Guild, in partnership with Lehigh Valley Homebrewers, will present a full day of demonstrations on the Farm to Table stage on Monday, Sept. 4.
Local breweries McCall Collective Brewing Company, Two Rivers Brewing Company and Taylor House Brewing Company will hold beer airings and cooking demos with a special "Art of Brewing" show.
Hungry?
The fair will introduce 15 new foods at food vendors throughout the week.
Foodies can vote on their favorites by completing ballots and dropping them off at boxes located by entry gates.
Other favorites also will be on the menu, such as funnel cake, corn dogs, boardwalk fries, cotton candy, fried pierogi, cheesesteaks, apple dumplings, waffles and sundaes.
For a full lineup of concessions, go here.
Free fun
As in years past, fairgoers don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy the scene.
Included in the admission are family-friendly activities such as Magic on the Farm; Flippenout trampoline; Squaw! The Amazing Bird; the Trivia Tractor; stilt walking with W. Kris Clayon; Dialed Action BMX and Scott Wagstaff Puppetry and Ventriloquism.
For the full lineup, click here.
Ways to save, make memories
Regular admission to the fair is $10; chidren 12 and younger are free.
There also are several nights when tickets are reduced, including opening night (Aug. 31) and on weekdays (admission is free if you get there between noon and 2 p.m. on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2).
"When I turn around and see the grandstand full of people with their hands in air, cellphones lit up and enjoying the concerts, it makes all the hard work worth it."Jessica Ciecwisz, Allentown fair's marketing and entertainment manager
All entertainment is included with fair admission except rides and games on the Powers Great American Midway and shows in the Grandstand.
Ciecwisz said she can't wait to share her favorite memories with her newborn baby.
"Every Labor Day, my niece and nephew will always come and go on the rides," she said. "Some of my favorite memories are to see them on the rides. And now I can bring my little girl when she's older.
"And then, when I turn around and see the grandstand full of people with their hands in air, cellphones lit up and enjoying the concerts, it makes all the hard work worth it."
For more info on the fair go to allentownfair.com.
