When the 2026 Oley Valley Community Fair kicks off, visitors will be treated to a new-and-improved spot to view exhibits.
The agricultural building, where produce and other items are put on display, has undergone a more-than $57,000 renovation.
The building features steps where exhibits are displayed.
“There are different levels in there so we can stage as many exhibits as we can and people can see them,” Alan Roman, property committee chair, said, adding that people also sit on the stairs during the auction at the end of the fair.
But over the years, those wooden plank stairs had fallen into a bit of disrepair.
“The steps are getting old,” Roman said. “They were very rough and they weren’t very sturdy. They needed to be replaced.
“We just weren’t feeling comfortable enough that they were sturdy enough for people to be sitting on them.”
So after last year’s fair ended, a project began to replaced them with varnished, finished plywood. The new stairs have been given smooth edging and lots of support, Roman said.
The work was done by local contractor Howard Stoltzfus.
“He really did nice work on it, it really looks beautiful,” Roman said.
The Oley Fair’s agricultural building has undergone renovations for this year’s fair. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The renovation project also included adjusting cages that are used to protect displays. Roman said those cages were difficult to move, requiring the use of large metal hooks.
Stoltzfus came up with a design to use a pulley system that can raise the cages to the ceiling.
“It makes life a lot easier and quicker,” Roman said. “We rely on volunteers for everything, who are harder and harder to get. So trying to get things to be easier to do is really important.”
Roman said he is excited to show off the improvements at the agricultural building.
“It worked out quite well,” he said. “I’m really happy that people will be able to see it and I’m looking forward to hear what people think about it.
“Hopefully, they enjoy the fair even better now that everything is bright and shiny.”