ALLENTOWN, Pa. – It’s finally here – the gates to the 174th Great Allentown Fair open Wednesday. We’re talking food, rides, and all things agriculture.
We’re getting a sneak peak at some of the cuddly creatures you may find at the fair. 69 News Reporter Rose Itzcovitz was at the fair with the world’s largest rodent: a capypara.
Camp Capybara Handler and Show Owner Collenn Pages had a special guest Wednesday morning: Candy the capybara, who’s 10 months old and weighs 45 pounds, and will be 125 pounds by the time she’s two years old.
Pages said capybaras are calm and lax animals, and get along with other animals. Some fun facts: they can run 25 miles an hour and can hold their breath for five minutes.
Capybaras are just one of the attractions the fair has to offer. Guests can check out camels, pigs, and many other animals.
Jamie Brozman, Livestock Superintendent at the fair, said staff is looking forward to talking to people and answering questions about the animals.
Some animals are expecting, so there could end up being babies at the fair, she said.
Michael Gabarits, with Adventures Made 4 U, said the fair is offering free interactive, personalized e-books for kids. The books are read to kids in multiple languages, he said.
Discount fair admission tickets are available at the Fair Box Office and online through September 2 for $5, according to the fair’s website.
Gates open at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
On Thursday, September 3, fair gates open at noon, and everyone gets in free from noon to 2 p.m. Gate admission after 2 p.m. is $10. Children 12 and under get in free.
Three new carnival rides are coming, and 19 fair foods are competing for the best fair food for 2026.
The fair also features a magic show and a Rock-N-Circus.
Guests can participate in scrapple eating contests and mullet competitions. Attendees can also check out livestock at the livestock barn.
For a full schedule of events, you can head to the Great Allentown Fair website.