CLEARFIELD – The smell of gyros and funnel cakes will waft through the Clearfield County Fairgrounds; children will be heard squealing on the Midway; and 4-H youth will show their animals.
Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Fair and Park Board continues to plan for the 160th Clearfield County Fair to be held on Aug. 2-8, Fair Manager Greg Hallstrom, said Friday.
“This is all dependent upon what restrictions the governor may still have then on social gatherings,” he said. “We can probably go as late as July 5 and still have the park ready in time for a full fair.”
Hallstrom said the fair has lined up its grandstand entertainment, all the acts will still be touring this summer and none have cancelled their fair week concert date.
He also said that structural improvements will begin on the nearly century-old grandstand building May 8, and are expected to be completed by the second week of June.
Though programs like Pennsylvania 4-H have suspended all in-person events, activities and club meetings until further notice, Hallstrom said the fair will run with 4-H participation.
“These kids have been raising animals since last year’s fair,” he said. “We plan for a full fair; this is a big deal … these young kids shouldn’t have to suffer.”
The Clearfield County Fair draws 100,000 to 120,000 visitors each year, according to Hallstrom, making it the fourth- or fifth-largest fair in Pennsylvania.
History
The fair dates back more than 160 years to 1852. Originally called the Clearfield County Fair and Industrial Exhibition, it began with the organization of the Clearfield Agricultural Society.
In 1860, Clearfield and Curwensville held a contest to determine the fair’s host site. Clearfield won and was established as the site, except for in 1895 and 1896, when Grampian was used so that the fair could host harness racing.
In 1870, the Clearfield Driving Park became the permanent fairgrounds; however, the fair was held irregularly in the early 1900’s. Even still by 1925, there were two buildings on the grounds, the grandstand and the exposition hall.
In the 1930’s, there was a roller coaster ride of highs and lows after the crash of the stock market caused the suspension of the 1935 fair.
The Clearfield Volunteer Fire Department took over the fair’s management in 1938, making it a week-long event and organizing the first-ever fireman’s parade.
The James E. Strates Shows made its first appearance in 1937, and became a fair staple on the Midway for decades.
The fair wasn’t held in 1944 and 1945 because of World War II, and in the late 1970’s, the fair board took over the management of the fairgrounds and its buildings.
Each year, the fair draws in young and old alike from surrounding areas and around the state for its various contests and exhibits, sights and sounds and entertainment.