Schuylkill County Fair to return August 1; no egg, poultry exhibits this year
Jul. 25—The Schuylkill County Fair will return next week, featuring a slate of activities, exhibits, food and entertainment.
"Working Together to Keep the Tradition Alive" is the theme for this year's event.
People were at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds in Summit Station on Sunday doing setup work for the fair, which will run from Aug. 1 through 6.
Due to a directive from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture banning all eggs and poultry from county and local fairs, the Schuylkill County Fair will forgo its egg and live chick exhibits this year.
The ban was enacted earlier this year because of the outbreak of avian influenza.
In past years, the fair has held several egg exhibits showcasing eggs of many colors and varieties.
Another exhibit, showing the hatching operations of live chicks, will also be removed this year, said fair Vice President Kim Morgan.
"(That exhibit) will be greatly missed by the kids," Morgan said. "Nothing's more exciting than seeing little chicks come out of the eggs and take their first steps."
Despite the removal of those exhibits, the fair will be packed with its usual selection of events and entertainment. Staples like the tractor pull and livestock sales will make a return, along with the usual rides, food, contests and exhibits.
Each day of the fair features a different theme: Aug. 1 is Pulling Day, Aug. 2 is Kids Day, Aug. 3 is Military Day, Aug. 4 is Senior Appreciation Day, Aug. 5 is Country Day and Aug. 6 is Schuylkill County Day.
"I'm looking forward to it and hoping for good weather," Morgan said.
The fair will also feature a daily selection of musical performances.
Schuylkill County-based classic rock band Another Side will kick off the festivities with shows at 7 and 9 p.m. on Aug. 1.
Those performances will be followed by Nashville-based country singer Rachel Horter on Aug. 2; Jeremiah James and the Revival, a country rock band from Allentown, on Aug. 3; Lancaster cover band Amish Outlaws on Aug. 4; and Brandon Bennett, a Elvis Presley tribute artist, on Aug. 5. All shows are at 7 and 9 p.m. on the main stage.
On Aug. 6, country music band Little Texas will cap off the festivities with a 9 p.m. show. That show will be preceded by a 7 p.m. performance by singer Jesse Wade.
The rides, supplied by Good Times Entertainments, will be open to the public starting at 1 p.m. Tuesday and 4 p.m. all other days.
Admission to the fair is $5 and gates open at 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 11 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
For more information, visit www.schuylkillfair.com or the fair's Facebook page.
Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085
