Schedule announced for 63rd annual Fayette County Fair
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Fayette County Fair Director Bill Jackson previewed the Fayette County Fair musical entertainment and exhibits on Wednesday at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.
Fayette County Fair board treasurer John Blaney, Jr. explained some schedule changes for the Chevron Outdoor Arena in the 2017 Fayette County Fair. The Fair board held a preview luncheon for local press and Fair sponsors.
2016 Fayette County Fair Queen Alexis Wivell spoke to the press and fair sponsors about her experience over the last year as the Fair Queen. The Fayette County Fair held a preview luncheon at the Old Fiddlers Building on the fairgrounds on Wednesday.
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Cohen Kassimer, 3, plays with his John Deere farm set while at a Fair preview with his mom, 2004 Fayette County Fair Queen and 2005 Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Kristi Kassimer.
The 63rd annual Fayette County Fair will continue to mix entertainment and friendly competition as it carries out its mission to promote Pennsylvania’s No. 1 industry. The fair is slated to run July 27 through Aug. 5 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds along Route 119 in Dunbar Township.
“First and foremost, we are an agricultural fair, and we like to showcase and educate people about agriculture,” noted Bill Jackson, fair board president, during Wednesday’s preview luncheon, held on the fairgrounds in the Fiddlers Building.
This year’s musical headliners include country artist Luke Combs, Aug. 3; rock bands Kentucky Headhunters, July 28, and The Clarks, July 29; as well as oldies band The Fabulous Hubcaps on July 29. Elvis impersonator Mike Albert returns on Aug. 5. All shows are on the Lady Luck Stage in the Indoor Arena.
A mixture of local bands and singers will also perform on the 84 Lumber Stage throughout the 10-day fair in addition to the popular Fayette Idol singing competition, which has semifinals on Aug. 2 and finals on Aug. 5 in the Fiddlers Building.
John Blaney, fair board treasurer, noted a schedule change in the Chevron Outdoor Arena lineup as Croushore’s Demotion Derby switches places for its third show with Mud Mania. The demolition derby is scheduled for opening night July 27, Aug. 1 and now Aug. 5, all at 7 p.m. Mud Mania will now run at 7 p.m. on the final night, Aug. 5. The change means officials don’t have to rush to clean the arena for the final demolition derby.
Blaney explained, “Mud Mania was moved from Friday night to give us a couple of days to clean up the mud.”
The outdoor arena shows begin the day before the fair starts with Westmoreland Tractor Pulling Association on July 26. Other shows include Quad Mania and Side by Sides, July 28; Hot Farm Tractor Pulls and Stock Semi Tractor Pulls, July 29; Motocross, July 30; USA East Limited Tractor Pulls, Hot Rod Modified Tractors and Diesel 4×4 Tractor Pulls, July 31; Monster Trucks featuring freestyle Motocross, Aug. 2; and Boys and Bulls Rodeo, Aug. 3.
Family Arena acts feature Pigs Gone Wild Racing Pigs, Kachunga and the Alligator Show, The Barn Yard Petting Zoo and R&S Woodcarving, all 10 days. Circus Dubois will perform July 27-30 while Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean will appear July 31 through Aug. 5. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on July 30.
Powers Great American Midways Carnival returns all 10 days. Agricultural competitions and displays, including 4-H, take place throughout the grounds. The Youth Building will also have a variety of activities, including an opportunity for fairgoers to try geocaching, a treasure-hunting game that uses a GPS.
Other highlights include the annual firemen’s parade on opening night and hypnotist Mike Bishop, who will appear for two shows each night from July 30-Aug. 5 on stage in front of the Youth Building.
Admission remains $13 with early bird admission at $11 until 4 p.m. weekdays, except for opening night, July 27. Advance tickets are $10 and go on sale Friday in a number of locations that are listed on the fair’s website.
The fair also offers a number of free admission days when people who meet certain requirements can enter the grounds at no charge until 2 p.m. They include: July 30 — anyone with that day’s church bulletin; July 31 — veterans with proper identification; Aug. 1 — anyone donating at least three canned goods for the Fayette County Food Bank; Aug. 2 — senior citizens aged 62 and older; and Aug. 3 — members of a grange with proper identification. Free admission does not include the carnival and outdoor arena. Upgrades can be purchased at the fair office.
Other speakers at the preview luncheon included Alexis Wivell, 2016 Fayette County fair queen, who will crown her successor on opening night of this year’s fair, as well as Mikaela Kamp, 2016 Fayette County fair princess; and Walt Bumgarner, Penn State Extension, who spoke about 4-H and Youth Building activities.
More information is available at www.fayettefair.com.