ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Monday night was the last night of The Great Allentown Fair.
The J&J Demolition Derby took center stage at the grandstand Monday night.
“I’m home from college this weekend, so why not come to The Great Allentown Fair and watch the demo derby,” says Gavin Angelino, of Northampton.
“So, he does it with his matchbox cars at home, so he gets to see it in real life,” says John McGowan, from Texas.
The competition featured full-size cars, compact cars, cars from the 1980s and newer.
The last running vehicle took home $1,000 and the title of The Beast of the East Champion!
“I just love how it brings people and family together. You see all the camaraderie, the love, the hatred between the racers,” says Joseph Brown, of Allentown.
The derby was just one of the ways people celebrated at the last day of the fair.
“We came for take a taco and to play bingo,” says Lisa Lisicky, of Whitehall.
As the grounds closed for the final night, organizers said goodbye to another successful year.
“It’s a tradition, and it’s a tradition that has been for 174 years, so we’re happy to kind of put a check mark next to 2026 soon,” says Jessica Ciecwisz, marketing and entertainment manager of the fair.
Fair organizers say they are already getting ready for 2027.