BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — For over a century The Bloomsburg Fair has brought life to Columbia County as the largest agricultural fair in Pennsylvania.
28/22 News has more from the fairgrounds where more than 1,000 organizers are preparing to welcome another year.
The stoves are hot and food is served at Woody’s Place at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds Friday morning.
What to know, what to do at the 2024 Bloomsburg Fair
“This takes us about a month to get everything together,” Woody Heaps, owner, Woody’s Place.
The fair is celebrating its 169th year and many vendors like Woody’s have set up shop here for generations.
“My grandparents started it and then my dad took over, and then after he had passed away, I have been running it since then so we’re at 77 years this year,” said Heaps
The fair welcomes those family traditions, but also first-timers.
There are many different entertainment acts at the Bloomsburg Fair, including a magic show with the barnyard cackler review with Farmer Billy.
Next door to Farmer Billy’s chickens you’ll find the rabbit and poultry exhibit.
Empty cages fill the barn due to the avian flu, but now pieces of paper are in their spots.
“You can take a picture of your animal, enter it and it’ll be judged and put up, just like it’s a live chicken in the cage,” said Jeff Ralston, supt. of rabbits, poultry & education.
Winners will be selected by judges based solely on appearance, a new kind of competition since the bird flu four years ago.
“It’s been forever since they could do anything. At least now they can get out, take their own pictures, send them in, you know they could do something rather than nothing,” said Molly Bauman, manager, rabbits & poultry barn.
The fair is also offering a new spot for those looking for a break from the noise.
“This year we have a sensory room for our friends that need some quiet time while they’re here. You know, they can get in and relax a little bit and then we also have an adaptive changing room.” Randy Karschner, President, Bloomsburg Fair.
Fun at the fair runs until September 28th. Gates for the Bloomsburg Fair open September 20, at 2 p.m. and on September 21st its hours will begin at 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
