Fayette County Fair officials announce 2019 lineup
Members of the media, sponsors and local officials attended the recent fair preview luncheon held at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township. The 2019 fair takes place July 25-Aug. 3.
Bill Jackson, fair board president, announces the schedule for the 2019 Fayette County Fair at a recent preview luncheon held at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township. The fair will take place July 25-Aug. 3.
Bill Jackson, fair board president, (at podium) announces the schedule for the 2019 Fayette County Fair at a recent preview luncheon held at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township. The fair will take place July 25-Aug. 3.Pictured at the head table are Linda Rooker, fair board secretary; Kelsey Kiel, 2018 fair princess; Mikaela Kamp, 2018 fair queen; and Randy Breakiron, fair board member.
Mikaela Kamp, 2018 fair queen, (at podium) addresses the crowd at the recent fair preview luncheon held at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township. The 2019 fair takes place July 25-Aug. 3.
Kelsey Kiel, 2018 fair princess, (at podium) addresses the crowd at the recent fair preview luncheon held at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township. The 2019 fair takes place July 25-Aug. 3.
Jennifer Deichert of Penn State Extension (at podium) explains activities slated for the Youth Building during the recent fair preview luncheon held at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township. The 2019 fair takes place July 25-Aug. 3.
Pierce Willson, fair board member, (at podium) talks about the new farmers market that will be held July 27-28 during the 2019 fair. Willson spoke at a recent preview luncheon for the fair, which will run July 25-Aug. 3 at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township.
Listening to speakers at Fayette County Fair's preview luncheon are (from left) John Blaney, fair board treasurer; Walt Bumgarner, Penn State Extension; and fair board members Pierce Willson and Chris Piwowar Sr. The 2019 fair takes place July 25-Aug. 3 at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township.
Country singer Jo Dee Messina, American Idol finalist Gabby Barrett and The Clarks will headline entertainment at the 65th annual Fayette County Fair, held July 25-Aug. 3 at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township.
Officials announced the lineup at a press preview luncheon that included the introduction of Hard Core Demolition Derby, a different company that will continue three nights of derbies and offer an event for youth drivers.
The fair will see an increase in ticket prices with gate admission set at $15 while early bird admission is $13 until 4 p.m. on weekdays only. Advance tickets will be sold for $12 at a variety of locations that can be found on the fair鈥檚 website at www.fayettefair.com.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a long time since we鈥檝e increased admission,鈥� said Bill Jackson, fair board president. 鈥淲e still feel it鈥檚 a great value.鈥�
The fair continues to offer several free admission days when people who meet certain requirements can enter the grounds at no charge until 2 p.m. They include: July 28 鈥� anyone with that day鈥檚 church bulletin; July 29 鈥� veterans with proper identification; July 30 鈥� anyone donating at least three canned goods for the Fayette County Food Bank; July 31 鈥� senior citizens aged 62 and older; and Aug. 1 鈥� grange members with proper identification. Free admission does not include the carnival and outdoor arena but upgrades can be purchased for $10 upon entering the fairgrounds.
The fair has plenty to offer with agricultural and home economics displays and competitions showcasing the area鈥檚 best. The fair hosts a variety of contests, including animal dressing, apple pie, chili cook off, chocolate cake, diaper derby, hay bale decorating, scarecrows, senior citizens and a sing off. New this year: a corn hole tournament will be part of Aug. 1 Family Fun Night while a horsehoe pitching tournament is set for 9 a.m. Aug. 3.
Musical entertainment includes Messina, July 26; The Clarks, July 27; Fabulous Hubcaps, July 28; Barrett, Aug. 3; and local bands playing throughout the fair.
Family Area shows are Extreme Illusions & Escapes, July 26-Aug. 3, and Axe Women Loggers of Maine, July 28-Aug. 3, while Bears of Beardise Ranch, Danny Grant鈥檚 Cowboy Circus, The Barn Yard Petting Zoo, R&S Woodcarving and Pigs Gone Wild Racing Pigs will appear all 10 days.
John Blaney, fair board treasurer, announced the Chevron Outdoor Arena lineup includes demolition derby, July 25 and 30 and Aug. 2; stock, heavy hauler and pick up pulls, July 26; motocross, July 27; tractor and truck pulls, July 28; Monster Trucks, July 31; rodeo, Aug. 1; and Mud Mania, Aug. 3. Garden tractor and dead weight tractor pull moves to 9 a.m. July 26.
Jennifer Deichert, of Penn State Extension, reported the Youth Building will offer activities that includes an escape room, LEGO building, geocaching, farming simulation video game, drone demonstrations, Fab Lab Maker, engineering design challenge and a new Fayette County Food Challenge that鈥檚 similar to the TV show 鈥淐hopped.鈥� Master Gardeners and 4-H clubs will have displays, demonstrations and answer questions.
The Youth Building is also the site for the fair鈥檚 opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. July 25, followed by the Firemen鈥檚 Parade at 7 p.m. and the Fayette County Fair Queen Contest at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiddlers Building when Mikaela Kamp, 2018 fair queen, crowns her successor.
Kamp and Kelsey Kiel, 2018 fair princess, both spoke at the luncheon, thanking the fair board and sponsors for their support.
Pierce Willson, board member, announced a new farmers market will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27-28.
Fireworks are slated for July 28 and Powers Great American Midways will continue to operate the carnival.