EVENT: 136th Grange Fair

For those of you who don't live in Centre County, let me tell you a story about one of our local treasures.

When our son-in-law first came to Centre County to visit, he came through Centre Hall and over the Centre Hall Mountain. He told us that he had passed a steady stream of pick-up trucks and trailers filled to overflowing with furniture and what appeared to be a family’s whole worldly possessions. He was afraid that the county was being evacuated and nobody had told him.

We had to explain to this fellow from New York that no, there was no disaster, it was set up time at Grange Fair, as the old timers call it ( Granger’s Picnic, to the really old timers). Now it is known as the annual Centre County Encampment and Fair. It is the only county fair like it in the country.

What started out as a fair for the farmers of Centre County to exhibit their livestock and crops has turned into an event that brings nearly 2,500 families that will live on the grounds for a week.

Originally, the fair provided tents for the week. Now the fields include all types of motor homes and campers. The original tents are still so much in demand that they are passed down through the generations within the family.

It is still an ideal place to see exhibits ranging from garden and field produce, to farm animals, to handwork such as quilts, paintings, and wood carvings. Last year they had nearly 8,000 exhibits.

A carnival atmosphere is provided by food vendors, amusement park type rides, and, naturally, local politicians kissing babies and shaking hands.

My favorite part is definitely the food. Funnel cakes, hot sausage sandwiches, real French fries, and ice cream, Oh, My. It seems as if my eyes are bigger than my stomach every time I visit.

Fair entertainment can be a little too country for my taste, but I have been lucky to see some good acts there. Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, and Brad Paisley have made appearances before they were super stars. You just never know who is on their way up and starting at local fairs.

The point of this article is two fold: One, if you are coming through Centre County between August 26 and September 2, do not be frightened by the traffic, and Two, stop by for a funnel cake.



In 2008, PBS did a fabulous documentary on the Centre County Grange Fair, which is now available on DVD. 







For more information about this year's fair, please visit:  http://www.grangefair.net/