Western Pa. fairgrounds leaders hope for big events in 2021

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Friday, July 9, to correct erroneous information about fairs in Beaver County.

After a year of pandemic-induced shutdowns, local fair organizers are hoping to return to a typical experience this season — and anticipate a big response from the public.

Westmoreland Fairgrounds Secretary Sarah Sphon said Westmoreland Fair planners hope to create “as normal of a year as possible” this summer.

Gaining most of its income from its annual agricultural fair, the fairgrounds in Mt. Pleasant Township struggled financially last season when coronavirus restrictions prevented the event — and most others at the site — from taking place.

Sphon of Greensburg said the fairgrounds earned some income from its winter storage program and received financial assistance from the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

In the absence of preparation for the fair last year, Sphon said, fair organizers “looked forward to the future” and started planning the 2021 event, Aug. 20-28. The usual array of events and attractions — including motocross, monster trucks, rodeos, demolition derbies and truck and tractor pulls — are planned.

With a typical turnout of 60,000 people, Sphon is hoping to meet that standard this year. Since the fair will occur before most school districts resume classes, Sphon said, organizers are hoping see more students attend and bolster the presence of the younger generation in the 4-H community.

4-H back to life

At Washington County’s 223rd Agricultural Fair, set for Aug. 14-21, 4-H Future Farmers of America will play an integral role in the junior market livestock show and sale.

The 4-H participants raise animals to sell during an auction in the last two days of the show, said Wayne Hunnell, secretary and member of the fair board. All proceeds go to the participants and the 4-H scholarship fund.

Last year amid the pandemic, Hunnell said, the board tried to have a “small portion” of the fair and ended up only having the junior market livestock show and sale, which he said will happen this year regardless of unforeseen circumstances.

“The fair, as an organization, lost a significant amount of revenue (during the pandemic) because we weren’t able to hold any events in any of the halls, which contributes significantly to putting on the fair,” said Hunnell of Buffalo Township. “The revenue from the eight days of the fair can’t support the fair itself.”

Hunnell said the loss of revenue influenced planning for this year’s fair, namely regarding entertainment. The fair opted to book numerous local acts in lieu of “huge names,” which can cost up to $100,000, he said.

August’s fair, which is themed “Making Memories One Fair at a Time,” will not have covid-19 restrictions, and Hunnell said he is hoping for a “huge crowd.”

“People are wanting to get out,” Hunnell said. “(And we) should come out in a better (financial) position.”

Quick planning

Derry Township’s Agricultural Fair also faced pandemic challenges, as attractions were hard to secure and there were only two and a half months to plan this year’s event once restrictions were eased.

“(One of the) biggest hurdles we had to jump through this year was the ongoing policies we had to go through with covid,” said Brandon Komar, president of the fair. “We didn’t have a fair last year at all, so it is kind of a different change of pace.”

Komar of Ligonier, said Derry Township’s fair will be held July 11-17, with everything “as normal,” including attractions such as the kids’ carnival, tractor pulls and livestock events. The Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show will debut this year.

“We were kind of worried that people would still be afraid to come out (of their homes),” Komar said. “It does seem like there’s going to be better attendance than normal 一 we hope so.”

On June 19, students and alumni of Derry’s FFA volunteered to beautify the bleachers and announcement stand for the fair.

Erica Stouffer, a member of the Derry FFA Alumni group, said she came up with the idea to help students gain community service hours.

Community gathering

Similarly, David Hager, president of the Sewickley Township Community Fair board, said that event relies on community support to operate each year.

Hager of Smithton said the community “missed being able to get together” when the 2020 fair was canceled. This year, he said, the fair board hopes to host its 86th event as normal as possible when it is held July 19-24 near West Newton. It will feature tractor pulls, garden and farm entries, live music, food and craft vendors and a variety of children’s games.

“It’s pretty community-oriented, kind of old-fashioned,” Hager said. “But we like it that way.”

Hager said there will be additional hand-washing stations and signs encouraging visitors to maintain covid safety, but he will not specifically enforce any other pandemic guidelines. He hopes a good crowd turns out after the fair’s absence last year.

Beaver County will return to hosting its two fairs this summer: the Hookstown Fair and the Big Knob Grange Fair.

Gretchen D’Atri, the marketing coordinator of Beaver County Tourism, said the Hookstown Fair will run Aug. 24-28 at the fair grounds — located at 1198 State Route 168. It will feature musical entertainment, 4-H exhibits, mechanical rides and grandstand events.

D’Atri said rides will operate from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 24-27 and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 28. Grandstand events include tractor and horse pulls, the kid’s tractor pull, BMX stunt shows, a demolition derby and monster trucks.

On Aug. 24, senior citizens will be granted free admission excluding rides, and community members will be given half price entry as long as tickets are purchased at the gates that day.

The Big Knob Grange Fair will take place Aug. 31 to Sep. 4 at 336 Grange Road in New Sewickley Township. The fair, which has free parking and admission, will feature a variety of agriculture, horticulture, home arts, live entertainment and food.

D’Atri said the Big Knob Antique Tractor and Equipment Association will display restored antique tractors and equipment, model tractors and antique tools at the fair. There will also be truck and tractor pulls, demo derbies and the children’s power wheel demos.

The fair’s show and sale will include market steers, hogs, lambs, goats, rabbits and poultry. There will also be The Great Apple Pie, PA Preferred Chocolate Cake and Angel Food Cake baking contests.

A full schedule of events for the Hookstown Fair and Big Knob Grange Fair can be found on the fairs’ websites. Both fairs will be returning to pre-pandemic operation this year.