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Great Allentown Fair

January 07, 2023

The Great Allentown Fair is an annual fair and agricultural show that is held at the Allentown Fairgrounds in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It is operated by the Lehigh County Agricultural Society.[1] It is one of the oldest fairs in the United States, and one of the largest in the state of Pennsylvania.

Great Allentown Fair
GenreAgricultural
DatesAugust 31 - September 5, 2022
Location(s)Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Years active1852–1861, 1863–1916, 1919–41, 1946–2019, 2021–
Websitehttp://www.allentownfairpa.org/

The fair was first held in 1852 to showcase agricultural advancements and to entertain patrons. It has since evolved to appeal to a broader audience, adding more entertainment and dining options.[1] Although it stays true to its agricultural roots by offering petting zoos, livestock judging contests, and a farmer's market, the modern-day fair focuses more on entertainment; it boasts a carnival, talent shows, and concerts.[2][3]

History

Early history

 
Postcard of Horse Exhibit Hall at Great Allentown Fair at the Allentown Fairgrounds in Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1909
 
Great Allentown Fair, 1941
 
Allentown Fairgrounds Grandstand, 2018
 
Main entrance to Allentown Fairgrounds, 2019

The Lehigh County Agricultural Society held the first fair from October 6 to October 8, 1852, on Livingston's Lawn, a 5-acre (20,000 m2) plot located east of Fourth Street, between Walnut and Union Streets, in Allentown.[4][5] The initial fair was so successful that in 1853 the Society undertook the purchase of a larger plot of land, north of Liberty Street and between Fifth and Sixth Streets, on which ticket offices and a two-story exhibition hall were built.[6] This location was the site of the second fair, held September 28, 29 and 30 of the same year.[6] One of the most popular attractions of these early fairs was Stephen Lentz's Flying Coach, a brass band that performed atop a hay wagon.[5][7]

In 1862, there was no fair due to the Civil War. During this time, the fairgrounds were used as a staging site for the 176th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers.[7] The fair resumed in 1863. In 1876, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a large reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill was held, which included many of Lehigh County's Civil War regiments and veterans as participants.[8] The "centennial" fair was a tremendous success.[8]

New fairgrounds and name

Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, the popularity of the Allentown Fair continued to grow. However, increased attendance led to dissatisfaction regarding the fairground's size, facilities, short race track and small grandstand.[9] In 1889, the Lehigh County Agricultural Society purchased a plot of land on Seventeenth Street, between Chew and Liberty Streets, to serve as the new fairgrounds.[9] One of the primary features of the new location was a new half-mile race track, with grandstands capable of seating 2,500.[9] In celebration of the opening of the new fairgrounds, the fair was renamed the "Great Allentown Fair."[9]

20th Century

From its earliest days, horse racing was a popular event at the Allentown Fair. In 1902, the fair's half-mile track was regarded as "one of the finest in the country."[10] In 1905, racehorse Dan Patch set a record of 2:01 on the half-mile track.[11] In 1911, the present-day grandstand was built at the Allentown Fairgrounds, increasing the overall seating capacity from 2,500 to 10,000.

Between the years 1907 and 1914, airship races became a featured attraction at the fair.[12] In 1909, two airships - one bearing the American flag, the other that of Germany, took off from the fairgrounds, raced down Hamilton Street, circled the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, and returned. The airship bearing the American flag won the race.[12] The following year, pilot Glenn Curtiss took off in his plane, using 19th Street as his runway, and flew over the Allentown Fair, in what was the first known heavier-than-air flight in the Lehigh Valley.[11]

The first auto race was held at the fair in 1920.[13] Sprint car races were sanctioned by the American Automobile Association (until 1955), the United States Automobile Club (1956–1966) and the International Motor Contest Association (1967 and 1968).[13] Sprint car legends Tommy Hinnershitz and Ira Vail both captured numerous wins on the half-mile dirt track, and Indianapolis 500 winners Mario Andretti, A. J. Foyt and Parnelli Jones all raced at the Allentown Fair before going on to greater fame.[13] In 1960, Johnny Thomson was killed during a race at the fair when his car crashed through the inside track fence.[13] Although the last sanctioned auto race was held in 1968,[13] demolition derbies continued to be popular event.

There was no fair held in 1917 and 1918 due to World War I. During this period, the fairground was transformed into Camp Crane, a training facility for the United States Army Ambulance Service (USAAS). During this time, more than 20,000 soldiers lived in tents and barracks on the fairgrounds.[14] The caretaker's house, which stood at 1701 Chew Street until demolished in 1960 to make room for a bank, was used as the officer's club.[15]

The fair wasn't held between 1942 and 1945 due to World War II. In 1951, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, his wife, and his son Arthur attended "Father and Son" day at the Allentown Fair,[16] a visit described by local historian Frank Whelan as "probably among the most significant moments in the fair's history."[17]

Beginning in the 1950s, musical concerts and performances held during Fair week starting drawing major acts and large crowds. Roy Rogers and Lawrence Welk appeared during the 1960s, as did Johnny Carson and a touring version of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.[18] Andy Williams introduced the Osmond Brothers in 1964.[18] In 1964, Kate Smith made her first "community fair" performance at the Allentown Fair.[18] Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass headlined in 1966, and the back cover of their album S.R.O. even featured a photograph taken during their performance.[18] On August 8, 1974, Liza Minnelli delayed her concert while Richard Nixon's resignation speech  listen (help·info) was broadcast live over the public address system.[18] Her performance later that night broke box office records at the Allentown Fair.[18]

21st century

In 2020, for the first time in 75 years, the festival was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. It returned in 2021.

Attractions

The Great Allentown Fair offers many attractions, including:[3]

  • Grandstand: A large outdoor stage featuring the fair's biggest musicians
  • Farmerama Theater: An amphitheater where talent contests are held and assorted daytime entertainment takes place
  • Music Tent: A tent where bands perform
  • Main Entrance Plaza: An area where special shows, such as juggling acts, are held
  • Powers Great American Midways: The fair's carnival
  • Agriplex/Agriland: The fair's agricultural-themed areas

Grandstand performances

In 1911, a 7,070 seat grandstand was constructed at a cost of $100,000 to host horse racing and auto racing.[19]

In 1956, the grandstand was opened to major musician and band acts with Guy Lombardo the first booked grandstand act.[20] Since then, Allentown Fairground's grandstand has featured many of the world's biggest musical acts, including:[21]

See also

References

  • Lehigh County Agricultural Society (1902), History of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society, Allentown, Pennsylvania: Berkemeyer, Keck & Co

Notes

  1. ^ a b . Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  2. ^ . Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  3. ^ a b . Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  4. ^ History of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society, p. 8
  5. ^ a b Nerl, Daryl (January 25, 2002), "Actors relive fair's genesis ** It was created in Allentown 150 years ago to entertain and promote farming.", The Morning Call, pp. B.01
  6. ^ a b History, p. 9
  7. ^ a b History, p. 13
  8. ^ a b History, p. 15
  9. ^ a b c d History, p. 17
  10. ^ History, page 25
  11. ^ a b "The Great Allentown Fair 150 Years", The Morning Call, pp. S.8, August 25, 2002, ProQuest 393152499
  12. ^ a b Whelan, Frank (September 7, 2005), "They soared through air with ease ** Allentown Fair featured airships and airplanes from 1907-14", The Morning Call, pp. B.6, ProQuest 393236340
  13. ^ a b c d e Devlin, Ron; Zhang, Peizhen; Shen, Zheng-Kang; Prescott, W. H.; Svarc, J. L. (August 24, 2003), "A rich racing history ** The glory days of sprint cars at the Allentown Fairgrounds are captured in the work of preservationists", The Morning Call; Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 30, no. 10, pp. J.3, Bibcode:2003GeoRL..30.1496G, doi:10.1029/2003GL017090, S2CID 128498833, ProQuest 393122405
  14. ^ Wlazalek, Ann (May 20, 2002), "Army's Camp Crane remembered at fairgrounds ** Allentown site saw World War I era of ambulance training.", The Morning Call, pp. B.1
  15. ^ Whelan, Frank (August 14, 2002), "Home used to house fair groundskeeper.", The Morning Call, pp. B.4
  16. ^ Whelan, Frank (January 30, 2000), "MacArthur's Trip To Valley Had Residents At Attention - The General Brought His Wife And Son.", The Morning Call, pp. B.03, ProQuest 393019311
  17. ^ Whelan, Frank (January 16, 2002), "MacArthur Road's heroic name.", The Morning Call, pp. B.4, ProQuest 393090949
  18. ^ a b c d e f Wittman, Bob (August 25, 2002), "The Great Allentown Fair 150 Years 1852-2002 ** Why we're drawn to the fair.", The Morning Call, pp. S.01
  19. ^ "Allentown Fair - 1910-1941". www.allentownfairpa.org.
  20. ^ "Allentown Fair - 1942-1963". www.allentownfairpa.org.
  21. ^ Concert Archives, Allentown Fairgrounds

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Allentown Fair.
  • Official website

January 07, 2023
great, allentown, fair, annual, fair, agricultural, show, that, held, allentown, fairgrounds, allentown, pennsylvania, operated, lehigh, county, agricultural, society, oldest, fairs, united, states, largest, state, pennsylvania, genreagriculturaldatesaugust, s. The Great Allentown Fair is an annual fair and agricultural show that is held at the Allentown Fairgrounds in Allentown Pennsylvania It is operated by the Lehigh County Agricultural Society 1 It is one of the oldest fairs in the United States and one of the largest in the state of Pennsylvania Great Allentown FairGenreAgriculturalDatesAugust 31 September 5 2022Location s Allentown Pennsylvania U S Years active1852 1861 1863 1916 1919 41 1946 2019 2021 Websitehttp www allentownfairpa org The fair was first held in 1852 to showcase agricultural advancements and to entertain patrons It has since evolved to appeal to a broader audience adding more entertainment and dining options 1 Although it stays true to its agricultural roots by offering petting zoos livestock judging contests and a farmer s market the modern day fair focuses more on entertainment it boasts a carnival talent shows and concerts 2 3 Contents 1 History 1 1 Early history 1 2 New fairgrounds and name 1 3 20th Century 1 4 21st century 2 Attractions 3 Grandstand performances 4 See also 5 References 6 Notes 7 External linksHistory EditEarly history Edit Postcard of Horse Exhibit Hall at Great Allentown Fair at the Allentown Fairgrounds in Allentown Pennsylvania 1909 Great Allentown Fair 1941 Allentown Fairgrounds Grandstand 2018 Main entrance to Allentown Fairgrounds 2019 The Lehigh County Agricultural Society held the first fair from October 6 to October 8 1852 on Livingston s Lawn a 5 acre 20 000 m2 plot located east of Fourth Street between Walnut and Union Streets in Allentown 4 5 The initial fair was so successful that in 1853 the Society undertook the purchase of a larger plot of land north of Liberty Street and between Fifth and Sixth Streets on which ticket offices and a two story exhibition hall were built 6 This location was the site of the second fair held September 28 29 and 30 of the same year 6 One of the most popular attractions of these early fairs was Stephen Lentz s Flying Coach a brass band that performed atop a hay wagon 5 7 In 1862 there was no fair due to the Civil War During this time the fairgrounds were used as a staging site for the 176th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers 7 The fair resumed in 1863 In 1876 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence a large reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill was held which included many of Lehigh County s Civil War regiments and veterans as participants 8 The centennial fair was a tremendous success 8 New fairgrounds and name Edit Throughout the 1870s and 1880s the popularity of the Allentown Fair continued to grow However increased attendance led to dissatisfaction regarding the fairground s size facilities short race track and small grandstand 9 In 1889 the Lehigh County Agricultural Society purchased a plot of land on Seventeenth Street between Chew and Liberty Streets to serve as the new fairgrounds 9 One of the primary features of the new location was a new half mile race track with grandstands capable of seating 2 500 9 In celebration of the opening of the new fairgrounds the fair was renamed the Great Allentown Fair 9 20th Century Edit From its earliest days horse racing was a popular event at the Allentown Fair In 1902 the fair s half mile track was regarded as one of the finest in the country 10 In 1905 racehorse Dan Patch set a record of 2 01 on the half mile track 11 In 1911 the present day grandstand was built at the Allentown Fairgrounds increasing the overall seating capacity from 2 500 to 10 000 Between the years 1907 and 1914 airship races became a featured attraction at the fair 12 In 1909 two airships one bearing the American flag the other that of Germany took off from the fairgrounds raced down Hamilton Street circled the Soldiers amp Sailors Monument and returned The airship bearing the American flag won the race 12 The following year pilot Glenn Curtiss took off in his plane using 19th Street as his runway and flew over the Allentown Fair in what was the first known heavier than air flight in the Lehigh Valley 11 The first auto race was held at the fair in 1920 13 Sprint car races were sanctioned by the American Automobile Association until 1955 the United States Automobile Club 1956 1966 and the International Motor Contest Association 1967 and 1968 13 Sprint car legends Tommy Hinnershitz and Ira Vail both captured numerous wins on the half mile dirt track and Indianapolis 500 winners Mario Andretti A J Foyt and Parnelli Jones all raced at the Allentown Fair before going on to greater fame 13 In 1960 Johnny Thomson was killed during a race at the fair when his car crashed through the inside track fence 13 Although the last sanctioned auto race was held in 1968 13 demolition derbies continued to be popular event There was no fair held in 1917 and 1918 due to World War I During this period the fairground was transformed into Camp Crane a training facility for the United States Army Ambulance Service USAAS During this time more than 20 000 soldiers lived in tents and barracks on the fairgrounds 14 The caretaker s house which stood at 1701 Chew Street until demolished in 1960 to make room for a bank was used as the officer s club 15 The fair wasn t held between 1942 and 1945 due to World War II In 1951 Gen Douglas MacArthur his wife and his son Arthur attended Father and Son day at the Allentown Fair 16 a visit described by local historian Frank Whelan as probably among the most significant moments in the fair s history 17 Beginning in the 1950s musical concerts and performances held during Fair week starting drawing major acts and large crowds Roy Rogers and Lawrence Welk appeared during the 1960s as did Johnny Carson and a touring version of Rowan amp Martin s Laugh In 18 Andy Williams introduced the Osmond Brothers in 1964 18 In 1964 Kate Smith made her first community fair performance at the Allentown Fair 18 Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass headlined in 1966 and the back cover of their album S R O even featured a photograph taken during their performance 18 On August 8 1974 Liza Minnelli delayed her concert while Richard Nixon s resignation speech listen help info was broadcast live over the public address system 18 Her performance later that night broke box office records at the Allentown Fair 18 21st century Edit In 2020 for the first time in 75 years the festival was cancelled due to COVID 19 pandemic It returned in 2021 Attractions EditThe Great Allentown Fair offers many attractions including 3 Grandstand A large outdoor stage featuring the fair s biggest musicians Farmerama Theater An amphitheater where talent contests are held and assorted daytime entertainment takes place Music Tent A tent where bands perform Main Entrance Plaza An area where special shows such as juggling acts are held Powers Great American Midways The fair s carnival Agriplex Agriland The fair s agricultural themed areasGrandstand performances EditIn 1911 a 7 070 seat grandstand was constructed at a cost of 100 000 to host horse racing and auto racing 19 In 1956 the grandstand was opened to major musician and band acts with Guy Lombardo the first booked grandstand act 20 Since then Allentown Fairground s grandstand has featured many of the world s biggest musical acts including 21 Dropkick Murphys 2022 Cole Swindell 2022 Carrie Underwood 2021 Live 2019 Bush 2019 The Offspring 2018 Kiss 2016 Styx 2015 Tesla 2015 Alice Cooper 2014 and 2015 Weezer 2010 Earth Wind amp Fire 2009 Tim McGraw 2009 Daughtry 2008 Taylor Swift 2007 Papa Roach 2007 Buckcherry 2007 Breaking Benjamin 2005 Nickelback 2005 Yes 2004 Lynyrd Skynyrd 2004 My Chemical Romance 2002 Journey 2002 and 2011 Toby Keith 2001 and 2021 Kenny Chesney 2001 and 2004 Goo Goo Dolls 2000 Def Leppard 1999 2000 2003 and 2015 Backstreet Boys 1998 Poison 1993 Alice in Chains 1992 Ozzy Osbourne 1992 Whitesnake 1990 Metallica 1989 Bob Dylan 1989 Foreigner 1985 and 2011 Motley Crue 1985 2005 2014 and 2015 Rod Stewart 1984 38 Special 1984 Rush 1980 and 2010 Heart 1980 ZZ Top 1980 2004 and 2008 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 1980 and 1989 Cheap Trick 1979 Foghat 1978 Linda Ronstadt 1977 Hall amp Oates 1977 and 2019 Chicago 1970 1972 and 2009 Grand Funk Railroad 1970 Jefferson Airplane 1970See also EditList of historic places in Allentown PennsylvaniaReferences EditLehigh County Agricultural Society 1902 History of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society Allentown Pennsylvania Berkemeyer Keck amp CoNotes Edit a b About The Great Allentown Fair Archived from the original on July 4 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 03 2008 Agri Land Events Archived from the original on July 4 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 03 a b Entertainment At The Great Allentown Fair Archived from the original on July 4 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 03 History of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society p 8 a b Nerl Daryl January 25 2002 Actors relive fair s genesis It was created in Allentown 150 years ago to entertain and promote farming The Morning Call pp B 01 a b History p 9 a b History p 13 a b History p 15 a b c d History p 17 History page 25 a b The Great Allentown Fair 150 Years The Morning Call pp S 8 August 25 2002 ProQuest 393152499 a b Whelan Frank September 7 2005 They soared through air with ease Allentown Fair featured airships and airplanes from 1907 14 The Morning Call pp B 6 ProQuest 393236340 a b c d e Devlin Ron Zhang Peizhen Shen Zheng Kang Prescott W H Svarc J L August 24 2003 A rich racing history The glory days of sprint cars at the Allentown Fairgrounds are captured in the work of preservationists The Morning Call Geophysical Research Letters vol 30 no 10 pp J 3 Bibcode 2003GeoRL 30 1496G doi 10 1029 2003GL017090 S2CID 128498833 ProQuest 393122405 Wlazalek Ann May 20 2002 Army s Camp Crane remembered at fairgrounds Allentown site saw World War I era of ambulance training The Morning Call pp B 1 Whelan Frank August 14 2002 Home used to house fair groundskeeper The Morning Call pp B 4 Whelan Frank January 30 2000 MacArthur s Trip To Valley Had Residents At Attention The General Brought His Wife And Son The Morning Call pp B 03 ProQuest 393019311 Whelan Frank January 16 2002 MacArthur Road s heroic name The Morning Call pp B 4 ProQuest 393090949 a b c d e f Wittman Bob August 25 2002 The Great Allentown Fair 150 Years 1852 2002 Why we re drawn to the fair The Morning Call pp S 01 Allentown Fair 1910 1941 www allentownfairpa org Allentown Fair 1942 1963 www allentownfairpa org Concert Archives Allentown FairgroundsExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Allentown Fair Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Great Allentown Fair amp oldid 1124298769, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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