For more than 75 years, the Newberry Lions Fair has been one of the most anticipated fun, carnival-type events in the area. This longtime favorite is taking place again this year from May 1 to 5 outside Bowman Field.

The Newberry Lions Club was organized and chartered on March 10, 1942, by International Association of Lions Club. They are a very active membership that has much fun and great fellowship, while serving our community, and fulfilling the needs of those less fortunate.

“Our fair is our biggest fundraising event of the year. In 2017 The Newberry Lions Fair was moved to Historic Bowman Field in the first week of May from the traditional Newberry Fairgrounds which usually was in June,” Bill Kieser, one of the Newbery Lions festival organizers, told “Webb Weekly.” “The main reason is that the ride vendor could bring more and bigger rides to accompany better all ages of those attending. Second, the first week of May at Bowman Field in years past was for the Millionaire Booster Club, but since they no longer have their annual fair, the ride vendor could accommodate our week. And third, we have to set off fireworks at Bowman Field.”

As usual, there will be a wide variety of the delicious food that the Newberry Lions Fair has always been famous for, such as the Newberry Lions fresh-cut french fries, hamburgers and hot dogs, and the Sons of Italy Lodge #138 will be having meatball sandwiches and hot sausage. There will, of course, be the usual carnival food such as pizza, sno-cones, candied apples, funnel cakes, and deep-fried Oreos.

The ride vendor will be Penn Valley Shows — with over 15 rides, and wristband night every night.

There will be a Variety 3000 stand, with gifts donated by local businesses, and the Newbery Lions would like to thank all the businesses for their donations.

Celebrate First Friday with fireworks at Bowman Field at dusk. They are sponsored by Sanders Mortuary and Knight-Confer Funeral Home. The rain date for fireworks will be Saturday at dusk.

There will be a Classic Car Cruise-In Saturday, May 5, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Bring your classic car and receive a free drink ticket.

All week different craft vendors will bring a variety of items to sell.

“Our Motto, ‘We Serve’ has held true over the years with the following items among the community and Lions projects we have supported with the money raised,” Kieser said. “Some of the worthy causes we support include: North-Central Sight Services, Beacon Lodge, Camp Victory, Camp Cadet, Leader Dog for the Blind, Christmas food boxes for the needy, Hope Christmas party, Williamsport Soap Box Derby, West End Babe Ruth League (Oldest sponsor in league), Newberry Little League Girls Team Sponsor, Original Little League, Newberry Monument Square, and in addition to the Fair we also raise funds through having our French fry trailer at Homemade Days at Brandon Park, Kids First Friday Downtown, Williamsport Welcomes the World, and Lycoming College Home Football Games.”

For membership, please mail to Lions Club of Newberry, P.O. 4051 Williamsport, PA 17701 or call Lion President Jim Way at 570-494-2110.

Like them on Facebook at Newberry Lions Club. For more Fair information contact Bill Kieser at 570-220-4572.