Bloomsburg Fair

The Bloomsburg Fair has been held in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, since 1855 and continues to this day.[1]

Scenes from Bloomsburg Fair 2016

History

It was originally held as an agricultural exhibition located on the lower end of Second Street, which is now Main Street. Since then it has grown to be the largest fair in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Bloomsburg Fair was started by Caleb Barton in 1854. The 156th Bloomsburg Fair was held from September 25 to October 2, 2010. In 2006, fair attendance for the week reached 413,203 people. The 157th Fair was scheduled to be held from September 24, 2011, to October 1, 2011, was canceled due to the 2011 Tropical Storm Lee flood. However, the fair returned in style with the 158th edition in 2012 after a one-year hiatus.[2] In July 2020, the Bloomsburg Fair posted a transphobic post on their Facebook page apparently showing a man dressed as Dr. Rachel Levine, the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, getting dunked in a dunk tank for a fundraiser.[3][4] On July 28, 2020, it was announced that the fair has been cancelled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides 2011 and 2020, there were other cancellations in 1917–18 due to World War I and 1942–44 due to World War II.

Currently

The 164th Bloomsburg Fair had an attendance of 411,869 people. The 166th Bloomsburg Fair will start on Friday, 24 September 2021 at 14:00 and run until Saturday, 02 October 2021. There will be a preview day Friday, 24 September 2021 with a Special $3 Admission Price for anyone at least 13. Gate Admission Saturday thru Saturday is $8. A Week Pass is available for $35 - it allows 9 entrances into the fairgrounds (one entrance per day). The grandstand concerts at that year's fair include Chicago, Jon Pardi and Brad Paisley with more announcements made soon. [5]

Organization

The Bloomsburg Fair is run and maintained by a board of 13 directors, each in charge of a different aspect of the Fair. They are voted in by the thousands of members that hold a share in the Bloomsburg Fair during a yearly meeting. Each director has a different term length and can maintain their station as long as the shareholders allow. Any member can run for position on the board of directors as long as they have held that share for more than two years. While each director has a specific set of duties they all vote for major changes and additions that happen at the Fair Grounds.[6]

Unique aspects

The Bloomsburg Fair is one of the last quarter-mile dirt tracks to remain open during the winter season for harness racing. While the stage and seating is limited at the Bloomsburg Fair they still have high end entertainment. Fair week entertainment has been country music dominated but they allot two of the nights for a newer rock band and a classic rock band still in the past the fair has hosted acts such as Sugarland, Seether, Lady Antebellum, Trace Adkins, 38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, and comedians such as Jeff Dunham and Bill Engvall.[7]

Attractions

The fair has a variety of games, foods, shows, and contests. It has a midway with an assortment of carnival rides.

Contests

Entertainment

Every year, the Bloomsburg Fair's Grandstand hosts a variety of world-renowned musical artists, comedians, and general entertainment.[8] The horse races and demolition derby are also a popular form of entertainment at the Bloomsburg Fair. The Bloomsburg Fair also has over 1,500 food stands.

In 2006, international superstar Taylor Swift performed her first major concert at the fair.[9]

Vendor Problems

In 2016, early in the Fair Week, a merchant selling the Hitler Youth flag was expelled from the Fair for being a registered sex offender.[10]

References
  1. The Internet Place Inc; Bloomsburg Fair (2008), The 154th Annual Bloomsburg Fair, retrieved 2008-12-27
  2. Associated, Press (2012-05-29). "Bloomsburg Fair roars back after 2012 flooding shutdown". The Daily Item.
  3. Victor Koons Graphic Designs; The Inn at Turkey Hill (2008), Area Info & Entertainment, retrieved 2008-12-27
  4. Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau (2008), Did You Know?, archived from the original on 2009-03-06, retrieved 2008-12-27
  5. Bloomsburg Fair, July 11, 2016
  6. Directors, Bloomsburg Fair, 2011, retrieved 2011-01-27
  7. Bloomsburg Fair Official Facebook (2011), Concert Series, archived from the original on 2009-05-31, retrieved 2011-01-27
  8. The Internet Place Inc; Bloomsburg Fair (2008), Concert Series, archived from the original on 2008-12-10, retrieved 2008-12-27
  9. "The History of Taylor Swift: How Taylor Swift Started in the Music Industry". Wizzley.
  10. Krize, Nikki. "Vendor Selling Nazi Flag Kicked Out of Bloomsburg Fair." Channel 16 News. 26 September 2016. Link: http://wnep.com/2016/09/26/vendor-selling-nazi-flag-kicked-out-of-bloomsburg-fair.

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