The interior of the agricultural building has been refurbished and some new T-shirt designs unveiled, but basically, explained Kevin D. Bieber, president of the Oley Valley Community Fair Association, the fair operates much the way it has since it started 79 years ago.
“We try to keep making improvements, but overall, the fair stays pretty much the same,” Bieber said. “Most of the contests and the food stands and entertainment go way back.”
The fair, this year with a theme of “1776-2026 — Celebrating the Stars and Stripes at the Oley Fair,” opens Thursday and runs through Saturday at the Oley Fire Company Fairgrounds on Jefferson Street.
As always, there will be a contest to see who grew the largest pumpkin, with some of the entries weighing in at more than 1,000 pounds. There will be judging of sheep, goats, cows and hogs, tractor pulling events and lots and lots of food.
“We’re an old-fashioned community fair that benefits the community,” Bieber said. “That’s what sets us apart and makes the fair so special.”
Three days of events
The fair opens Thursday at 9 a.m. with swine and dairy judging in the exhibit buildings. The Oley Valley High School Music Department will provide entertainment from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the opening bell ringing ceremony at noon.
Brayden Zeltner participates in the children’s pedal tractor pulling contest. (Courtesy of the Oley Valley Community Fair)
The rest of the day includes a beef judging contest, children’s pedal tractor pulling contest, an award presentation and entertainment on the Main Stage starting at 6:30 p.m.
Danica Rhoads holds her grand champion sheep. With her are Jeremy Rose, judge, and Lynette Gelsinger of banner sponsor First Citizens Community Bank. (Courtesy of the Oley Valley Community Fair)
Friday kicks off at 9 a.m. with sheep and goat judging. Lamb trimming and blocking and dairy management contests also are scheduled.
Fairgoers can buy wristbands for $30 each and enjoy four hours of unlimited rides starting at 11 a.m., and there’s Big Wheel contest for little ones scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Activities continue into the evening with a celebrity Oley Fair food eating contest at 6:30 p.m. and line dancing with DJ Nugget from 7:30 until 10 p.m.
“You could get here at 9 o’clock in the morning and find things to do all day long,” Bieber said. “There definitely is something for everyone.”
Featured events on Saturday include a visit from country radio personality Casey Allyn, who will sign copies of her latest cookbook from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Copies of the cookbook, which is a collection of recipes from I105 WIOV-FM listeners and released annually, will be available at no cost. The theme of this year’s cookbook is “Truck Drivers.”
Also scheduled for Saturday are an adult pedal tractor pulling contest, carnival rides from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., youth and adult bale throwing contests and a doughnut eating contest.
A popular fair-related event is a car and antique tractor show, set for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Oley Valley High School parking lot.
Musical entertainment
While special entertainment is held each night on the Main Stage under the pavilion, other musical events are scheduled throughout the fair.
Glenn Miller and his Big One-Man Band will perform Thursday at 1:30. Friday’s activities include a performance at 1 p.m. by the Oley Valley High School marching band, while the Oley Valley Alumni and Community Band will perform Saturday at 10 a.m.
Dr. Squeezebox entertains the crowds. (Courtesy of the Oley Valley Community Fair)
Also on Saturday, the Ringgold Band will perform from noon until 2 p.m., followed by the Happy Dutchmen German Strolling Band from 2 until 5 p.m. The Exeter Community Band will play at 5:30 p.m.
Evening performances, held on the Main Stage under the pavilion, are Forever George and Tammy, featuring Alyssa and Wayne Brewer on Friday at 6:30 and 8:30, and Erich Cawalla & the Uptown Band on Saturday at 7 and 9. The Main Street Cruisers will perform Saturday at 7 and 9.
It’s not a fair without the food
It’s difficult to talk about the Oley Fair without mentioning the food, which ranges from the iconic fair hamburgers and hand-cut french fries to soups, fruit bowls, hoagies, baked goods, funnel cake, milk shakes and ice cream.
Mike and Deb Turner man the shoofly pie stand. (Courtesy of the Oley Valley Community Fair)
Fairgoers clearly enjoy their fill, as last year they devoured 3,645 pounds of hamburgers, 1,150 pounds of hot dogs, 1,400 pounds of pork barbeque and — get this — 5.475 tons of french fries.
If you’re interested, cooking all those french fries required 1,579 pounds of lard, according to fair records.
“People really look forward to the food,” Bieber said. “It’s a big draw to the fair.”
Members of more than 20 churches and other community groups run the food stands, requiring hundreds of volunteers.
Thanks to volunteers
As he always does, Bieber credited all the volunteers who work before, during and following the event.
“I can’t say it often enough,” he said. “Without the volunteers, there is no Oley Fair.”
The fair traces its roots to the years following World War II when a few Oley residents saw a need for an event that would unite community members.
It was first held on the grounds of the Oley School, with students given a half-day off to help set up the fairgrounds.
Some events were held inside the school building, while others were outside under surplus Army tents purchased by the fair committee.
The ongoing success of the fair is a testament to the hard work of its founders and all who followed, Bieber noted.
“It’s a testament to our community that the fair has grown so much and continues to be such a popular event for people of all ages,” he said. “It’s pretty special.”
The fair will be open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Parking is available at the fairgrounds for $5 per car. There is no admission fee to enter the event.
Blue ribbon sponsors of the fair include Fleetwood Bank, the Reading Eagle and Expressway Bulk. Red ribbon sponsors are Mast Roofing and Construction, Inc., Wentzel Fabrication and Little’s John Deer; and yellow ribbon sponsors are the Breidegam Family Foundation, the PA Lottery and Weis Markets.