ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Before the crowds arrive, the Great Allentown Fairgrounds are filled with a different kind of sound.
Plastic snapping into place. Hay being moved. Vendors setting up. Animals getting settled. Concession stands waiting to open.
For Great Allentown Fair veteran Allison Blackadar, the work is familiar, but still tiring.
Asked to describe the setup process in one word, Blackadar answered simply.
“Tiring,” she said.
Blackadar, of Riegelsville-based LMA Livestock, was among dozens of farmers, vendors and ride operators preparing for the 174th Great Allentown Fair.
For George Pitsilos, owner of Take a Taco, the process has become routine. This year marks his 47th fair.
“Years ago, it was stressful. Now, it’s just common,” Pitsilos said. “The process is easy. Get the equipment delivered here. Set it all up. We’re ready to go.”
During setup, the fairgrounds look different from the way visitors will see them later in the week. A ride through the grounds is still foot-traffic free. Roadblocks are concession stands waiting to happen. Hay is part of the scenery.
And the sounds of preparation are everywhere.
Chrissy Flexer, director of concessions, said there will be 80 concession locations across the fairgrounds this year, including eight first-time vendors.
“I think concessions is very important to the fair, because if I go to the fair, I go to the fair to eat food,” Flexer said.
She said nearly every part of the East Coast will be represented through food vendors.
For Jeff and Dylan Zandarski, being at the fair is part of a father-son tradition.
“We got demolition derby tickets,” Jeff Zandarski said.
Asked what this time of year means to him, Zandarski said the fair signals the end of summer.
“It means it’s the end of summer soon,” he said. “Labor Day’s the end.”
The 174th Great Allentown Fair begins Wednesday.