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Great Allentown Fair facts for kids

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Great Allentown Fair
Allentown Fair Logo.png
Genre Agricultural
Dates 31 August - 06 September 2021
Location(s) Allentown, Pennsylvania
Years active 1852–1861, 1863–1916, 1919–41, 1946–2019, 2021–
Website http://www.allentownfairpa.org/

The Great Allentown Fair is a super fun yearly event! It's like a big party and a farm show all rolled into one. It happens at the Allentown Fairgrounds in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. The fair is run by the Lehigh County Agricultural Society. It's one of the oldest fairs in the whole United States and one of the biggest in Pennsylvania!

The fair started way back in 1852. Its main goal was to show off cool new farming ideas and to entertain people. Over the years, it grew to include even more fun things to do and yummy food to eat. Even though it still celebrates its farming roots with petting zoos, animal judging, and a farmer's market, today's fair is mostly about entertainment. You can find a huge carnival, exciting talent shows, and awesome concerts there!

History of the Allentown Fair

How the Fair Began

The first Allentown Fair was held by the Lehigh County Agricultural Society. It took place from October 6 to October 8, 1852. The fair was on a 5-acre plot of land in Allentown. It was a big hit! Because it was so popular, the Society bought a bigger piece of land in 1853. This new spot had ticket offices and a two-story building for exhibits. The second fair happened there later that same year. One of the most popular acts back then was Stephen Lentz's Flying Coach. It was a brass band playing music from a hay wagon!

In 1862, there was no fair. This was because of the American Civil War. During this time, the fairgrounds were used as a training camp for soldiers. The fair started up again in 1863. In 1876, to celebrate 100 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed, they had a huge show. It was a reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Many Civil War soldiers from Lehigh County took part. This "centennial" fair was a massive success!

New Location and a New Name

Through the 1870s and 1880s, the Allentown Fair became more and more popular. But with more people coming, the fairgrounds started to feel too small. The race track was short, and the grandstand (where people sit to watch races) was tiny. So, in 1889, the Lehigh County Agricultural Society bought new land. This new spot on Seventeenth Street became the new fairgrounds. A cool new half-mile race track was built there. The grandstands could now hold 2,500 people! To celebrate the new location, the fair got a new name: the "Great Allentown Fair."

The Fair in the 1900s

1909 - Allentown Fair Horse Exhibit
The Horse Exhibit Hall on the Allentown Fairgrounds in the early 1900s.

Horse racing was a favorite event at the Allentown Fair from the very beginning. By 1902, the fair's half-mile track was known as one of the best in the country. In 1905, a famous racehorse named Dan Patch set a speed record on the track. In 1908, the huge grandstand you see today was built. It made the seating capacity jump from 2,500 to 10,000!

From 1907 to 1914, airship races were a big attraction. In 1909, two airships raced over Allentown. One had the American flag, and the other had the German flag. The American airship won! The next year, a pilot named Glenn Curtiss flew his plane over the fair. He used 19th Street as his runway. This was the first known plane flight in the Lehigh Valley area.

The first car race at the fair happened in 1915. Famous sprint car drivers like Tommy Hinnershitz and Ira Vail won many races there. Even Indianapolis 500 winners like Mario Andretti, A. J. Foyt, and Parnelli Jones raced at the Allentown Fair before they became super famous. Sadly, in 1960, a driver named Johnny Thomson died during a race. His car crashed through a fence. The last official car race was in 1968, but demolition derbies (where cars crash into each other) are still popular.

The fair was not held in 1917 and 1918 because of World War I. During this time, the fairgrounds became Camp Crane. It was a training place for the United States Army Ambulance Service. More than 20,000 soldiers lived in tents and barracks on the fairgrounds.

The fair was also not held between 1942 and 1945. In 1951, a very important person, General Douglas MacArthur, visited the fair with his family. This visit was a huge moment in the fair's history.

Starting in the 1960s, big-name music stars began performing at the fair. Roy Rogers and Lawrence Welk came in the 60s. Johnny Carson and the cast of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In also performed. Andy Williams even introduced the Osmond Brothers in 1964! Kate Smith gave her first "community fair" performance here. Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass played in 1966, and a photo from their show was even on their album cover! On August 8, 1974, Liza Minnelli paused her concert so everyone could hear Richard Nixon's resignation speech over the speakers. Her show later that night broke ticket sales records! Many concerts have sold out, including the Doobie Brothers (1980), Pat Benatar (1981), Rod Stewart (1984), and Bryan Adams (1985). In 1998, the Backstreet Boys sold out their tickets faster than anyone before!

The Fair in the New Millennium

In 2020, the fair was canceled for the first time in 75 years. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fun Attractions at the Fair

The Great Allentown Fair has lots of cool things to see and do:

  • Grandstand - This is a huge outdoor stage. Big-name music stars perform their concerts here.
  • Farmerama Theater - This is an outdoor theater. Talent shows and other daytime entertainment happen here.
  • Music Tent - A smaller tent where bands play when a huge stage isn't needed.
  • Main Entrance Plaza - This area hosts special shows, like amazing juggling acts.
  • Powers Great American Midways - This is the fair's awesome carnival, full of rides and games!
  • Agriplex/Agriland - These areas are all about farming. You can learn about animals and crops here.

Grandstand Performers (A Few Examples)

Many famous artists have performed at the Allentown Fair's Grandstand over the years. Here are just a few:

Images for kids

  • 1941 - Midway looking west Allentown Fair - Allentown PA

    Great Allentown Fair, 1941

  • 2018 - Allentown Fairgrounds Grandstand - Allentown PA

    Allentown Fairgrounds Grandstand, 2018

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Great Allentown Fair Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.