13 must-try foods, exhibits and entertainment at the 2023 Middletown Grange Fair
The 73rd annual Middletown Grange Fair is just around the corner.
Taking place Aug. 16-20, the fair attracts families from all over for this much-loved, five-day event in Wrightstown.
It is led by volunteers of the Middletown Grange, a nonpartisan, non-sectarian, fraternal organization with roots in agriculture. For fair director Amber DiIanni, whose family has been involved with the grange for decades, volunteering at the fair is a strong tradition spanning generations.
“I pretty much took my first steps at the fair. It is my family reunion, and we all just kind of reconvene at the grange fair,” DiIanni said. “And watching the community come together, that’s what make it really special.”
Every year, the fairgrounds are transformed into a living celebration of agriculture featuring hundreds of exhibits, vendors, animal demonstrations, tractor parades, food, amusement rides and live family-friendly entertainment.
With so much fun, food and farm animals packed into one fair, it might be hard to know where to start. So, with the help of DiIanni we’ve compiled a must-try list of things to see, do and eat to help you make the most of your trip to the Middletown Grange Fair:
Must-eat at the Middletown Grange Fair
“I always say that fair calories don’t count, so come hungry,” said DiIanni, noting the fair has a variety of food trucks and local vendors offering everything from Cajun street food to basic burgers and fries.
Sit-down meal: The fair’s famous barbecue chicken dinner. The most popular of all the foods at the fair, the chicken dinner, which comes with corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad, dinner roll and dessert. Just note, it is only available Thursday, Friday and Saturday and sells out fast.
On-the-go meal: Walking tacos. Just like its name implies, this deconstructed taco is a portable meal that won’t slow you down.
Guilty pleasure dessert: Funnel cake topped with ice cream. No fair trip is complete without this deep-fried treat, and what better way to enjoy it than a la mode.
Snack to walk around with: Kettlecorn. An easy snack to munch on as you wander your way through the exhibits.
Cold drinks: Old-fashioned sodas or fresh-squeezed lemonade. On a hot August day, you’ll need to hydrate, so why not get both?
About the fair: The Middletown Grange Fair returns for its 72nd year. Here's what you need to know
Must-see at the Middletown Grange Fair
Between the exhibits, demonstrations and shows, there is something for everyone at the fair, including live music, demonstrations around the fairgrounds, tractor games, 4-H roundup shows and daily tractor parades.
Kid-friendly: Hot Dog Pig Races. If the idea of little pink pigs and dachshunds in hot dog costumes racing around a mini track isn’t enough to convince you to check out this event, nothing will.
For the family: Live music. Performances by local bands take place over at the stage, where you can sit back and enjoy or get up and dance.
For the animal-lover: 4-H building and animal barns. Check out these exhibits to meet the 4-H kids, their animals and learn about the time and hard work they put into raising and caring for their animals.
For the gardener: Hydroponics/aquaponics demonstration. Learn how to grow your own food no matter where you live with the help of the knowledgeable staff at UrbanPonics, whose mission is to empower local neighborhoods with the vision and tools to provide foods, year-round through education, advocacy and hands-on experience.
Must-do at the Middletown Grange Fair
Entertainment at the fair includes Skelly’s Amusement rides, a kids corner, a new kids play area, pony rides, corn hole tournaments, kids crafts and activities.
Farm experience: Market hog and lamb auctions. Watch a live farm auction and maybe get caught up in the excitement of bidding for a true one-of-a-kind farm experience.
Hands-on: Build your own bee shelter. Yardley woodworker Jeff Bishop leads this craft using bamboo to create an emergency bee shelter you can take home.
What it takes to put on the grange fair: Volunteers vital part of Middletown Grange Fair
Fun and educational: Belgian Horses. Take a horse drawn hayride and learn about these powerful horses and their role in farming.
For the shopper: The vendor barn. Take a break from the heat and browse the vendor barn, where you can shop for artisan gifts, home goods, homemade treats and crafts, and much more.
When is the 2023 Middletown Grange Fair?
The fair takes place over five days from August 16-20:
Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How much does it cost to attend?
Admission is free, but parking is $20 per vehicle. Veterans and active military can park free with valid ID. A 5-day parking pass can be purchased for $50 at the entrance during the fair or at the fair office during exhibit drop-off. Prices vary for ride tickets, food and vendor items.
More information:
Middletown Grange #684 Fairgrounds, 576 Penns Park Road in Wrightstown; 215- 598-7240; middletowngrangefair.org
More: Hot chicken and Bernie Lomax sightings: Here's latest on restaurants Bucks County scene
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: A guide to all things food and fun at the 2023 Middletown Grange Fair
