Tacos, sunflower mazes and monster trucks: What's new at county fairs in the Poconos
Carnival rides, horse shows, and fried food are on full display at Pocono summer county fairs and festivals.
If you haven’t yet made the trip, check out what’s new this year.
Carbon County Fair
Among the attractions: Barnyard Olympics at 5:30 p.m. Friday and daily magic shows with the Amazing Anastasini, chainsaw carving with Bearly Get’ n By, and a ”hit and miss” antique engines display.
The entertainment includes Nashville Music 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Mystery City takes the stage 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday. Saturday’s line-up includes Dean Hahn and the Hawks at 4 p.m. and the Cramer Brothers Band at 7 and 9 p.m.
When: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Wednesday - Friday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday through Aug. 13
Cost: $7 (free admission for kids under 6).
Info: 3285 Little Gap Rd Palmerton, carboncountyfair.com
Milking it: PA Dairy Princesses promote dairy products, farm life
Green Dreher Sterling Fair
Highlights include a clydesdale horse show, demolition derby exhibition, animal dress up show, magic shows by Damian the Magician, frog jumping competition, and a farm crop auction.
When: Aug. 26 - Sept. 4
Cost: $8 per person (extra charges may apply for special events).
Info: 457 Crestmont Dr, Newfoundland, gdsfair.org
Sunflower Festival
Add some sunshine to your life and pick your own sunflowers at Yenser’s Tree Farm.
Although there won’t be livestock displays at the summer weekend fair, there is plenty of family fun including a sunflower maze (suitable for all ages), a farm fun zone (for children under 15) with a bouncy pad, a bubble station, a tire mountain, and an obstacle course with a zip line.
Also check out the free hayrides, corn cannon, reindeer train, and food trucks serving up pizza, burgers, appetizers, along with vendors selling home decor, jewelry, apparel, and crafts made by local artists.
On Friday, plan a date with your friends and family for a fun-filled evening in the sunflower fields. Pre-purchased tickets ($40 per person) include a picnic dinner, small blanket, private hayride, unlimited corn cannon shots, and a container to fill with sunflowers. Adult beverages by Eight Oaks Distillery and Galen Glen Winery will be available.
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug. 14
Cost: Free admission
Info: 1910 Mahoning Drive, Palmerton, yenserstreefarm.com
Of Interest:Fair committee awards $26,000 in scholarships to 13 Wayne County 4-H, FFA students
What’s new in 2022: Check out these must-see attractions at this year's Wayne County Fair
Wayne County Fair
Now celebrating its 106th year, the WCF features 26 rides, vendor tents with local artisans, livestock exhibitions and free country and rock concerts.
Returning this year is the high-energy demolition derby show on Thursday, the monster truck freestyle show on Friday and the black cat hell drivers on Saturday.
Other attractions include harness racing, tractor pulls, horse pulls, diesel pulls and the woodman’s competition.
When: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Aug. 13.
Cost: $12 per person
Info: 270 Miller Drive, Honesdale, waynecountyfair.com
A bit of history: A look back at decades of the West End Fair in Monroe County
West End Fair
Celebrating 100 years, the fair returns with plenty of action-packed entertainment, good eats, carnival rides, livestock displays and Monroe County 4-H exhibitions.
What we’re looking forward to: Performances by the Cartesion Dance Academy and McElligott School of Irish Dance, music by the Pleasant Valley Marching Band, demolition derby shows, antique tractor pulls, wood carving auction, the crowning of the West End Queen 2022, and end-of-night firework displays.
Vendors will be selling carnival food (pierogi, cheesesteaks, burgers, boardwalk fries, tacos, funnel cake, and corn dogs), plus a cash bar (for the over 21-crowd) along with handmade jewelry, antiques, apparel, and other trinkets.
When: 2 to 10 p.m. Aug. 21 - 27 (agricultural buildings close at 9 p.m.)
Cost: $7 (children under 10 are free).
Info: 570 Fairground Road, Gilbert, thewestendfair.com
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: What's new at county fairs in Monroe, Carbon and Wayne in the Poconos
