ALLENTOWN, Pa. – It’s finally here – the gates to the 174th Great Allentown Fair open Wednesday. We’re talking food, rides, and all things agriculture.<\/p>\n
We’re getting a sneak peak at some of the cuddly creatures you may find at the fair. 69 News Reporter Rose Itzcovitz was at the fair with the world’s largest rodent: a capypara.<\/p>\n
Camp Capybara Handler and Show Owner Collenn Pages had a special guest Wednesday morning: Candy the capybara, who’s 10 months old and weighs 45 pounds, and will be 125 pounds by the time she’s two years old.<\/p>\n
Pages said capybaras are calm and lax animals, and get along with other animals. Some fun facts: they can run 25 miles an hour and can hold their breath for five minutes.<\/p>\n
Capybaras are just one of the attractions the fair has to offer. Guests can check out camels, pigs, and many other animals.<\/p>\n
Jamie Brozman, Livestock Superintendent at the fair, said staff is looking forward to talking to people and answering questions about the animals.<\/p>\n
Some animals are expecting, so there could end up being babies at the fair, she said.<\/p>\n
Michael Gabarits, with Adventures Made 4 U, said the fair is offering free interactive, personalized e-books for kids. The books are read to kids in multiple languages, he said.<\/p>\n
Discount fair admission tickets are available at the Fair Box Office and online through September 2 for $5, according to the fair’s website.<\/p>\n
Gates open at 4 p.m. Wednesday.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, September 3, fair gates open at noon, and everyone gets in free from noon to 2 p.m. Gate admission after 2 p.m. is $10. Children 12 and under get in free.<\/p>\n
Three new carnival rides are coming, and 19 fair foods are competing for the best fair food for 2026.<\/p>\n
The fair also features a magic show and a Rock-N-Circus.<\/p>\n
Guests can participate in scrapple eating contests and mullet competitions. Attendees can also check out livestock at the livestock barn.<\/p>\n