There was much to see, do and eat at the 144th annual Kutztown Fair last week, Aug. 10 to 15.
“We like them to have a wonderful, family experience,” said Lolly Lesher, a Kutztown Fair Board Director. “The Fair is meant for the family, it’s meant to create memories.”
My daughter, Anna, 4, and her Grammy and I visited on Thursday evening, Aug. 13. The Kutztown Fairgrounds were filled with families, teens and old friends getting together.
“I love the fact that you see so many people from the community here, friends and neighbors you only see once a year,” said Lesher of Way-Har Farms in Strausstown. “You can come in, have great food. Kutztown has great food, Dutch fries, steak sandwiches, pierogies, Kutztown Bottling soda. So we have awesome food and the people in the community come and it’s a social time. It’s a time to catch up and visit.”
Lesher explained that much of the food sold supports local organizations, including Kutztown Fire Company, the granges, Optimist Club, Lions Club and the Music Association. Funds raised benefits those non-profit organizations that help the community.
“When you support the fair and come to these events and buy food from these groups, you’re supporting yourself, your local community and you get good food,” said Lesher.
New this year was the Tiger Encounter on the Midway. During the show, audiences learned about tigers and got an up close view of the animals. After the show, children had the opportunity to feed a tiger, using a very long feeding rod with assistance from one of the attendants.
Also new this year was the Piggy Villa which showed attendees where pot-bellied pigs vacation. The pigs performed tricks out front of their Villa or walked around front greeting people.
“We had our second annual pot pie contest, and that was very well received,” said Lesher.
Also brought back this year was Cancer Awareness Day on Thursday. The American Cancer Society, as one of the fair sponsors, conducted activities and posted signs around the fairgrounds promoting cancer awareness. Other fair sponsors included East Penn Manufacturing and Berks County Grange #43, as well as a very extensive list, all named on the fair brochure.
While the rides and games looked like fun, which were by Tons of Fun Shows in Douglassville provided rides, Anna’s favorite part of the fair was seeing the animals, the sheep, goats, pigs and cows. We had a chance to watch a little bit of the dairy judging.
“See our animals, see how we care for animals,” said Lesher. “As a farmer I want to show you that we’re good to our animals, just like we take good care of the land. We want people to see that. If they have a question, ask me, the farmer, don’t read it on the Internet. This is your opportunity to visit with an actual farmer. This is your chance to ask someone who actually does it for a living.”
Lesher said more than 280 head of dairy cattle were shown on Thursday.
“On Saturday, one of the new things is the Berks County 4-H kids are selling their round up animals at the Fair,” said Lesher. “It’s a culmination at the end of the year. Whoever won Grand Champion here is Grand Champion for their 4-H Round Up. That’s a big deal for the kids.”
My favorite part about the fair is the Tractor Parade. There are so many different models, colors and happy, smiling farmers of various ages, both men and women.
Last, we treated ourselves to ice cream from Way-Har Farms and sat and listened to music. Entertainment that week included The Outlaws with Crazy Elmer, Crazy Hearts, The Rehrig Brothers, The Cramer Brothers Band, Chris Ivey character juggler, and Tracy Lee & The Ravine Road Band. The Fair concluded on Saturday with fireworkds.
