The folks at the Clinton County Fair are hoping for a wonderful way to celebrate their 50th anniversary this year as the Fair takes place July 29th to August 5th at the Clinton County Fairgrounds.
The Fair was born as a result of several meetings between 1971 and April 1973.
In August of 1972, this group, which had become known as the Clinton County Fair Committee, held the first Clinton County Fair on a small plot of ground, which was borrowed from a farmer in Pine Creek.
The following year, August 1973, this event was moved to a five-acre community park in Mill Hall, where it remained until 1979. This site was more centrally located in the county and had the advantage of sewage and water. At the completion of the 1979 fair, it was evident that the fair had outgrown the five acres and a search was begun for a new, and hopefully, permanent site. However, the combination of high prices and meager funds forced the Association to once again settle for a temporary fairground.
The third move was to a 28-acre site located in Castanea Township, which was leased on an annual basis for approximately $3,500 per year. During the time the fair was located in Castanea, the Fair Association conducted a diligent search for a permanent site. This goal was reached in December 1983 when the Association, under the auspices of the Clinton County Commissioners, purchased a 66-acre site in Lamar Township for $75,000.
During the time the fair was held on a temporary site, housing for the fair’s activities were also temporary. By mid-July the Association’s Directors and other volunteers would begin to ready the site for the annual event. Office and first aid trailers were moved on the site, fences were built, water lines installed, temporary pole barns and tents were erected, display space and animal pens were built. By the end of August, all traces of the Fair were removed. Trailers were returned to storage, fences, water lines, animal pens, display areas and buildings were dismantled and returned to storage areas.
During those years, the Fair included 4-H Roundups, open agriculture and family living classes, a tractor-pulling contest, band concerts, square dancing, a water carnival, a horse show, and model airplane exhibits with food and games provided by local organizations and individuals.
Since the Association purchased a permanent site, some permanent construction has been done. A roadway on the site was built; a track used for tractor and four-wheeled drive vehicle pulls was constructed. A racetrack was built for all-terrain vehicles, a permanent building was constructed to be used for registration for the pulls and races and to house the announcer for those events.
Ten-year long-range plans include building permanent sanitation, commercial, administrative and show facilities.
Fair organizers are very excited about this year’s Fair.
They will be having bull riding back after a 10-year absence; it will be Thursday evening at 7 p.m.
They will also be holding a nightly drawing for prizes and free tickets at the fair table inside the open show building. These drawings will be held at 9:30 p.m., and you must be present to win. Some of the prizes are a fire pit, Blackstone grill, freezer with a quarter-pound beef certificate, two bikes, Susquehanna Trailways gift cards, and tickets to an Eagles/Cowboys football game.
The Fair will also be presenting round hay bale decorating that can be done by local groups, and prizes will be given for this.
There will also be a corn hole tournament, horseshoe tournament, tractor/truck pulls and drag racing, demolition derby, antique tractor display area, and their nightly entertainment, which will be on the main stage and auxiliary stage. It will be highlighted with appearances by Aaron Kelly, Heather Olsen and her Salute to Patsy Cline, Doug Brewin and his Tribute to Alan Jackson, just to name a few.
Every evening at 5 p.m., they will have a table set up with refreshments, and also many scrapbooks and memorabilia displayed in the open show building.
Double M Amusements will be handling the rides. Wrist bands are available at the ticket booths for $15 from 5:00 p.m.-closing each day. Wrist Band Specials are available for $10 on Wednesday, August 2nd, from noon-4:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 5th, from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
And, of course, no fair would be complete without a midway and delicious fair food!
Saturday afternoon will also feature the crowing of the Clinton County Fair Queen. That will take place at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday is Senior Citizens Day and Friday is Veterans Day, free admission and parking both of these days for our Seniors and Veterans with ID.
Officials hope to see everyone at this year’s 50th anniversary and would like to thank their volunteers, sponsors, and community for making this the best year yet.
For information, you can contact the fair office at 570-726-4213 and leave a message or visit us at clintoncountyfairpa.com or check them out on Facebook.
Admission to the Fair is $5 (12 and under free), and parking is $2 per car. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and 7:00 a.m. on weekends. The fairgrounds are located at 98 Racetrack Rd., Mill Hall.
