The 171st Bloomsburg Fair opens Friday with popular and emerging musical acts, a drone exhibit, new vendors and giant pumpkins.
Tommy James will perform at the Bloomsburg Fair with his band, the Shondells. (COURTESY OF TOMMY JAMES)
Country singer Sammy Kershaw will perform with Aaron Tippin at the Bloomsburg Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 29. (COURTESY OF THE BLOOMSBURG FAIR)
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Tommy James will perform at the Bloomsburg Fair with his band, the Shondells. (COURTESY OF TOMMY JAMES)
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Musical acts
Kansas, an American rock band that began in the ’70s and released an album as recently as 2021, will play Wednesday, Sept. 30. Their hits include “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind.” They appeared on Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the ’70s and ’80s. Younger audiences have heard their music in video games such as “Grand Theft Auto” and TV shows and movies including “The Office,” and “Old School.”
Another classic rock act, Tommy James & the Shondells, will perform Sunday, Sept. 27. They have 24 Top 40 hits, including “Crimson and Clover,” “Mony Mony” and “I Think We’re Alone Now.”
On Saturday, Sept. 26, Live, featuring Pennsylvania native Ed Kowalczyk, will play their ’90s hits such as “Lightning Crashes” and “I Alone.”
Skillet, this year’s featured Christian act, plays Monday, Sept. 28.
Sammy Kershaw and Aaron Tippin lead a country music showcase, “Icons & Idol,” on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with “American Idol” runner-up John Foster.
What’s new
There is an eclectic mix of fresh features this year, including a display of agricultural drones, free vaccines and more than 20 new vendors.
In response to the deadly measles outbreak, the state Department of Health is offering free MMR shots, which protect against measles, mumps and rubella. The vaccines are available to any eligible person who has not been vaccinated. The MMR vaccine requires two doses and the staff at the fair will refer people to their closest state health center for the second dose.
The clinic will be in the State and County Exhibits buildings, next to the Dog Show Building, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Oct. 2; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 3.
Geisinger Health System will again give free flu shots at the Caleb Barton House on the fairgrounds.
At least two new vendors from Luzerne County are expected: Alta Presents Dante’s Inferno and Notis the Gyro King are on the fair’s official vendor list.
Other new vendors include Readings by Lisa, offering psychic readings; Big Mama’s Soul Food and Crunchy Lulu, selling the candied fruit skewers called tanghulu.
True to its roots
While many fairgoers head straight to a food stand or concert stage, the fair remains an agricultural event at heart, said Jonathan Wolfe, superintendent of the grandstand.
“It’s still the biggest part of the fair. We’re the largest agricultural fair here in Pennsylvania,” he said.
There are more animals at the fair than at the statewide Farm Show in Harrisburg, he said.
“I believe there’s well over 1,000 animals, of pretty much everything you can think of, from rabbits to poultry,” he said. That includes the oldest dog show in the country, adoptable dogs and cats, a sow and piglets on display and goat cuddling.
There are workshops on picking the right sheep and growing greater gobblers.
The highlight of the horticultural competitions is the weighing of giant pumpkins Friday at 4 p.m., between the agricultural and horticulture buildings. First prize is $5,000. There are bonuses for pumpkins over 2,000 pounds. The big winners remain on display and draw crowds throughout the fair.
The tractor pull competition is Oct. 3.
Schedule and admission deals
Friday’s preview night begins at 2 p.m., with discounted admission.
From Saturday through Oct. 3 the gates are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Daily general admission is $8 at the gate and $7 in advance. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
It’s $10 to park, unless you buy $5 advance parking online at bloomsburgfair.com.
Older adults age 65 and over get in free Monday, Sept. 28. Free days for students 13 through 18 are Tuesday, Sept. 29, and Friday, Oct. 2. Service members are admitted free Wednesday, Sept. 30.
The drive is approximately 45 minutes from Hazleton, one hour from Scranton and just under an hour from both Wilkes-Barre and Pottsville.