ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Imagine mixing fresh farm-to-table food, cuddly cows, piglets, demolition cars and a pack of wolves.
That's what you'll find at Allentown Fair, which opens its 172nd run Wednesday, Aug. 28, and continues through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2.
Hours for the unofficial last bash of the summer will be 4-10 p.m. Wednesday, noon to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and noon to 9 p.m. Monday.
Admission will be $5 Wednesday ($3 you bring a food item to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley).
Starting Thursday, regular gate admission will be $10 (ages 12 and under are always free).
All-day ride wristbands cost $30 in advance or $35 on-site.
For more information about tickets, go to the fair website.
The Olympics of agriculture
The fair is presented by Lehigh County Agricultural Society (founded in 1852) and began as a local celebration to advance agriculture, livestock, domestic and mechanical arts in the Lehigh Valley.
Hundreds of artists, farmers, gardeners, photographers, bakers and chefs will compete for placement ribbons and cash prizes inside the Agri-Plex, on the west end of the grounds.
There also will be contests on display created by both adult and youth entrants.
"The Olympics just ended, but this is the Olympics for the local people to show and their best tomato, their best photo, their best Lego creation."Jessica Ciecwisz, Allentown Fair marketing and entertainment manager
"The Olympics just ended, but this is the Olympics for the local people to show and their best tomato, their best photo, their best Lego creation," Jessica Ciecwisz, the fair's marketing and entertainment manager said.
"They work on it all year and submit it and look for their blue ribbons. So, I would say you can't miss the west end."
At Agri-Land, also on the west end of the grounds, meet farmers and their furry companions.
"Seeing the animals, that's part of what's kept us alive for 172 years," Ciecwisz said.
About 650 animals will be on display — including cows, goats, horses, sheep, rabbits and pigs — all hoping to win best in show.
Among the activities are a 4-H barnyard petting zoo, Lil' Farm Hands (meet and milk "Aggie Hall" the robot-like cow) and a judging tent where farmers and 4-H youth will showcase the talentsof their four-legged companions.
On Saturday, the Lehigh County 4-H will hold its livestock sale.
New entertainment, wolves
Some of the top attractions at this year's fair will include Sharon Sandlofer, owner of the Wolf Pack Project, performing with a dozen rescued wolves that will interact with obstacles in a fenced arena.
Based at Trinity Heritage Ranch in Lynchburg, South Carolina, Sandlofer also runs the Wolf Pack Project, an organization that advocates for wolves by educating people about their role in the environment.
The event is sponsored by Diefenderfer Electric & Telecommunications
Showtimes will be 5:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesday and 3, 5:30 and 7 p .m. Thursday-Monday.
Also Hog Diggity Dog, Inside Fair Gate 6, will feature tricks by a 700-pound hog, 13 rescue dogs and two camels.
There will be a bid calling competition on Friday, a scrapple-eating conteston Saturday and a grape-stomping contest on Sunday (be on the lookout for LehighValleyNews.com staff, who will compete for the second year in a row).
The 2024 Fair Queen Contest and Coronation, sponsored by Signal, will be held at Astound Broadband Farmerama Theater on Wednesday.
Four contestants will vie for the title of the Great Allentown Fair Queen.
Oinking back to town will be the famous Robinson’s Pig Paddling Porkers — swimming swine racers — to compete at the Machinery Avenue Court throughout fair week.
All entertainment is included with fair admission except carnival rides and games on the Powers Great American Midway.
Farm-to-table Visitors
Visitors to the fair can stock up on favorite produce, jams, honey and other goods at the fair's farmers market, where 50 local merchants will remain open during the fair.
Ciecwisz, the fair marketing manager, said food has always been a big part of the fair, but the public's approach to it has evolved.
"I feel like what's different now is that we've turned the key of really wanting to know where our food comes from and that farm-to-table aspect," she said.
"Even from 12 years ago, we didn't necessarily think that way, but now we're very conscious of what we put in our mouth and where it's from.
"I think the fair's perfect because this is all local communities, local farmers, and local produce here."
Fair eats
Eighteen food vendors will compete this year to be selected as the fair's best new food.
Fair President Daryl G. Urmy has challenged chefs to whip up an unusual treat at their stands, and it will be up to customers to vote on their favorites. (Ballots can be cast via cell phones and QR codes).
Among the choices are the Rosston hot dog by J&J Smokehouse, sweet corn fritters from Randevoo, apple turnover empanada from Buns on the Go, peanut butter kabobs from Kou Kitchen and carne asada from Fat Guy Crepes.
Food vendors also will serve traditional fair eats such as funnel cake, cheesesteaks, cotton candy, perogies and apple dumplings.
Comedy, rock, a cappella
The fair's grandstand shows this year will be performances by Cheap Trick on Wednesday, Blippi: the Wonderful World Tour on Thursday, Brad Paisley on Friday, Penotonix on Saturday, Jeff Dunham on Sunday and the J&J Demolition Derby on Monday.
Cheap Trick were scheduled to open for Heart, who announced in July they were postponing their tour as singer Ann Wilson undergoes treatment for cancer.
Blippi, a YouTube starand a favorite among kids, will bring his orange suspenders, classic blue button down and vivacious energy, to the stage at 5:30 p.m.
Paisley, a country music starand longtime host of the "Country Music Awards" (he and co-host Carrie Underwood were replaced in 2019).
He is a three-time Grammy winner, 14 Academy of Country Music and 14 Country Music Association Awards winner.
It's his third time headlining the fair, as he gears up for the release of his 13th album, "Son of the Mountains," his first record in seven years.
Penatonix, an a cappella quintetwho will headline the fair for the second time, is comprised of Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee.
It is a Grammy award-winning group whose albums have sold more than 10 million copies since forming in 2011.
Opening for the group is Season 7 "American Idol" runner-up David Archuleta.
Limited tickets are available for Dunham's show when he headlines the fair for the sixth time.
And J&J Demolition Derby show will roar into the fair at 5 p.m. on Sept. 2, a Labor Day tradition until the last vehicle running becomes The Beast of the East Champion.
Iron chef competition
Chefs from the region will compete in a round of "Iron Chef" battles that begin on Friday.
Battle one will feature chef John Abela, owner of Composed Catering vs. Esteban Morales, director of dining services at Fountain View at Logan Square.
Battle two will features Sous Chef Ryan Lukow, of Savory Grille, vs. chef and owner Paul Rojrattana of La Kang Thai French & La Kang Thai Noodles & Seafood.
Battle three will feature chef Harrison Lemus, La Cocina Del Abuelo, Grandpa’s Kitchen, vs. executive chef Roberto Lopez, Olde Homestead Golf Club.
Battle four features sous chef Skip Spina, Paxos Restaurants of Blue Grillhouse, vs. chef Dan Goulet, president of the professional chefs Association of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
On Saturday, last year's runner-up, executive chef Stacy Calles, from Kalahari Resort & Conventions, will battle the chef with the highest total points from the losing bracket of battles 1-4.
After, a semi-final battle will take place on Sunday, Sept. 1 and is followed by the Iron Chef final battle where the winner of the three rounds will compete against the2023 winner, executive sous chef Courtney Davenport of The Shelby.
Over the years, the cook-off has been a hit among fairgoers.
"The superintendent of it doesn't give them any mercy," Ciecwisz said. "The things that she puts in these [ingredients] baskets are insane.
"We usually find some sort of really obscure fair food. That is what they have to incorporate into their final dish."
Bitten by the 'fair bug'
Fair staff said they're preparing for a larger crowd in 2024.
Last year, total attendance was about 200,000 over the six-day event, according to Ciecwisz.
In 2018, Ciecwisz replaced longtime marketing manager Bonnie Brosious, who held the position since 1982.
The two still keep in touch, along with another staff veteran and fellow retiree, Terri Schwenk.
"Everybody here is really vested," Ciecwisz said. "And I think together, it's not about the oldness of everybody, because there's young people working here, too."
She said Brosious "made the joke that I was going to get bitten by the fair bug. That was 2008, and here I am, how many years later.
"It's just gets in your blood. I don't even know how to explain it."
