The "A Visual Trip To The Grange Fair" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Making our yearly homage to the Grange Fair in Centre County, PA with our hosts for the weekend, Jerry and Just Sue who live in nearby State College.  This year, in honor of the 140th year of the encampment and fair, a tent-decorating contest took place and new tents have been added to the encampment.  The fair this year features 324 concession stands, rides, craft vendors, live entertainment, agricultural shows and more.  All the tents as well as the 1,500 RV spots have been filled.  This year, Wednesday August 21st was the official move-in day for the encampment.  Can't imagine what the site must have been like as everyone converged at one time on the 8-10 acres which is know as the Grange Fair.

One of the many tree-line tent encampment lanes at the fair.

 It was in 1874 that the first organized gathering took place in Leech's Woods near Centre Hall when about 3,000 farm families celebrated.  They arrived by horse and wagon back then.  The crowds this year for the week-long event will number over 100,000 visitors as well as the thousands more who camp in the tents and RVs.  We arrived today greeted by a threatening sky.  Paid the entrance and parking fee and after parking, headed to the equine center.  My wife had a horse during her high school years and just loves the competitions as well as walking through the stables and admiring the large gathering of horses.  Rather than try to write more about it, I will take you on a visual trip through the fairgrounds.  Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Arrival and entrance.

Finding a parking spot is the next chore.  Notice the low cloud cover on the mountain in the background.

A blacksmith has a spot near the equine center to make and repair horse shoes for customers.

This gal caught my eye!

This is the new indoor equine center that was built last year.  This girl is preparing for  competition.

One of four judges is charting her progress as she rides.

This horse is getting a welcome washing.  

There are buildings that display sheep, goats, swine and cattle.  This is the dairy cattle building and this young boy is resting against his entry.

The poultry and rabbit building has cage after cage of really neat varieties of animals.  Here this little black rabbit is taking a peek at my camera.

This was a blue-ribbon winner in the poultry competition.  May someday be sitting in your oven.

This sheep wasn't interested in the hay in it's stall.  It wanted the pieces that were stores above it.

Music could be heard throughout the displays.  Here the "Coburn Brass" is performing Civil War music.

Canned and fresh fruits are entered.

The award winning red rose.

An arrangements of award winning entries.

And, of course, the food vendors.  Here Just Sue and Jerry walk with Carol along the vendors.  We were deciding what we wanted for supper.

This was the choice for Just Sue and me.  A sticky bun!

I had every intention of taking a photo of my purchase, but it was gone too quickly.  This was the tray in the vendor's trailer.

As we headed to our car we encountered a friendly game between campers.  Played with two wooden compartments and very large metal washers.