Grange Fair 2023

The Grange Encampment

For many Central Pennsylvania residents, fair season in our region is their favorite time of the year. And the Grange Fair in Centre Hall serves as a milepost of sorts, telling us that summer is almost over, but there is still an “exit ramp” off the “summer highway.” That late summer “exit” takes you to nine days of late-summer fun before the leaves start to fall and sweater weather arrives.

Kids (and kids-at-heart) love fair food, pulse-pounding and spinning rides, exhibits and lots of cute farm animals. But the Grange Fair isn’t simply another county fair. True, the Centre County Grange Fair offers all those memorable experiences, but it also bills itself as the nation’s “most unique county fair.” What makes the Grange Fair so special?

First of all, this the 149th fair. For many fam-

ilies in Central Pennsylvania, including Clinton, Lycoming, Miffin and Juniata Counties, the grange fair is an annual tradition they just can’t miss. Generations have camped, attended and enjoyed the Grange Fair.

For those who attend for the frst time, just a walk onto the fairgrounds is an awe-inspiring sight. According to the fair’s website, there are over 1,000 tent sites at the encampment fair, as well as over 1,500 recreational vehicles that campers reside in during fair week. The Grange is the last remaining encampment event in the United States! The camping tradition, coupled with the large amount of attractions, concessions and exhibits separate the Grange Fair from other events. Fair organizers estimate over 200,000 people attend on average each year, and that over 10,000 residents camp on the fair-

grounds in Centre Hall.

As usual, there are some well-known musical artists that will be performing at the fair this year. It wouldn’t be a Grange Fair without a heavy dose of country music, and this year feature’s some very well-known Country artists featured on the grandstand.

The legendary Oak Ridge Boys will be at the grandstand on Friday, Aug. 18 to open the fair entertainment lineup with a bang. There is no doubt that songs like “Elvira” and “Bobbie Sue” will be sung with gusto by the ‘Boys’ and the crowd that night. Chart-topping country band Little Texas will appear on Wed., Aug. 23 at the Grange. Little Texas is well-known for nineties country hits like “God Blessed Texas,” “My Love” and “What Might Have Been.” The nostalgia factor will be high on Thurs-

day at the fair, when a Statler Brothers tribute band will take the main stage.

For fans of new country, American Idol contestants Alex Miller and HunterGirl will play the Grange Fair on Sat., Aug. 19. Country singer Chase McDaniel and his rich baritone voice will be the headliner on Fri., Aug. 25. Drew Milligan, who placed third in the 2022 season of America’s Got Talent, will be at the grandstand for a show on Mon., Aug. 21. Milligan is also known for portraying Elvis on the CMT series Sun Records.

Up-and-coming country artist Adam Calvert will bring songs like “Party On” to the fair’s main stage on the fnal day of the Grange. Contemporary worship band North Point Worship flls out the grandstand entertainment slate when they take the stage on Tuesday.

The fair admission price includes all the grandstand shows, making it a family-friendly entertainment value. A full schedule of events can be found inside

this edition. More information can be obtained at www.grangefair.com. This year’s Grange Fair runs from Aug. 18-26.

PA

When: Saturday, August 19th 7:30am

Where: Grange Fair, 169 Homan Lane, Centre Hall, PA

Enter thru Gate 4 and proceed to Grandstand area.

Join Encompass Health and Left Right Repeat for a family-friendly run/walk around the

Grange Fair 2023 5K Run/Walk

fairgrounds. The Grange Fair 5K is open to all ages, so grab your running shoes for this warm weather run. Stay after and enjoy the Grange Fair activities.

Be Happy, Healthy and Strong

Day of Race Details: Registration opens at 6:30am Race Begins at 7:30am

Prizes/Awards Ceremony held at the Grandstand Stage at 8:30am

Take strides through the fairgrounds for this 3.1 mile run/walk. Listen as fairgoers and campers cheer you on!

Day-of Registration Fees: $25 for All Ages

Going to the Grange?

Admission is $8.00 per day for ages 12 and up or $25.00 for the week. Children 11 and under are free. Parking is $7.00 per day.

There is a free tram service that provides easy access to the grounds at both the Northside and Southside parking lots. The Northside lot tram at Cherry Tree Row and Gate Row. In the Southside lot, tram pickups are at Alley Avenue and Sharer Avenue.

There are tractor or truck pulls daily. Check the schedule for show times and descriptions. Kids can enjoy the playground, open daily from

PACKET PICKUP and Live Signup: Thursday, August 17th 6 – 8pm at Gate 2 of Grange Fair

You can still signup for the run/walk at the packet pickup

Cash or Checks (made out to Left Right Repeat LLC)

10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except for 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Library programs, events and activities are held daily. Pickup a schedule at the Grange headquarters.

Get your chicken on! The Chicken Dance is held a 4 p.m. daily on the fairgrounds.

The Grange exhibit buildings are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the last day of the fair from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

ALL registrations include Free admission to Grange Fair for rest of day and parking during the 5K event.

Open to walkers and runners of all ages.

This is a TIMED event by Falcon Race Timing Awards/Prizes will be given for:

Top 3 Male and Top 3 Female Finishers overall

T-shirts: Comfy Sports Tech style Short Sleeve

T-shirt guaranteed for frst 175 registered participants

Extra shirts will be given out on a frst come frst serve after the race

Round!

KEEPSAKES

Stop by the Grange Fair Emporium (located beside Headquarters) or Building 31 (located near the top of the midway) for your chance to collect all of this year’s Grange Fair Keepsakes!

Browse through the collection of Grange Fair memorabilia or pick up a shirt with a Grange Fair logo!

Rules & Regulations

1. Enjoy yourself at the nation’s most unique county fair!

2. Pets are not permitted in Grange Park.

3. All service support animals must be registered upon entry.

4. No offensive clothing. Shirts are required.

5. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the fairgrounds at any time.

6. Open fres are prohibited in Grange Park. This includes charcoal and gas barbeque grills.

7. Children 8 years of age and younger must be under the supervision of an adult.

8. Loud talk and objectionable or profane language are prohibited at all times.

9. Curfew is from 12:00 AM - 6:00 AM.

10. Audio and video taping of Grandstand Shows is prohibited.

11. All vehicle traffc and parking will be under the direction of parking department personnel. All vehicles parked on Grange Fairgrounds must display a current parking pass. Please respect parking personnel at all times. Penalties and fnes will be imposed as necessary.

Illegally parked vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense. Handicap Parking and Fire Lane areas will be strictly enforced.

12. The use of drones, radio-controlled toys, hoverboards, bicycles, segways, skateboards, rollerblades, or other ridden toys is forbidden throughout the fairgrounds.

13. Parents: Please make arrangements with your family for times and locations to meet them. In the event of a lost child, please contact the Security Offce at 814-364-9720 or notify onsite security personnel. For child safety, information will not be announced over the public address system.

14. In case of emergency, please call 911 Security offcers are on duty 24 hours.