BELLEFONTE — It’s here.
The 149th Grange Encampment and Fair gets underway (officially) on Aug. 18 and runs through Aug. 26. During Tuesday’s Centre County Board of Commissioners meeting, the BOC issued proclamation No. 34 of 2023, which proclaims that stretch as “Grange Fair Days” in Centre County.
Centre Hall Mayor LeDon Young was on hand to accept the proclamation.
“We are delighted to receive this proclamation,” Young told the BOC. “It is the149th Great Grange Fair, so you can guess what we’re getting ready for next year. But we don’t want to overlook this year. We are very busy getting ready.”
As the tents go up and the RVs roll in, Grange Park takes on a life of its own, Young said.
“When we have all 1,000 tents and 1,500 RVs full, we become the third largest town in Centre (County). (It’s) a town of tents and RVs. Your population grows at this time,” Young said.
Young pointed out that the Grange Fair partnered with 40 local nonprofit organizations to sell advance tickets.
“Schools, granges, preschools, 4H Clubs, sports teams, churches, scouting groups, the YMCA … they sold advance admission tickets for a discount and got $2 for each one sold,” Young said.
All told, the Grange Fair contributed $32,648 to those organizations.
“It’s a little bit different than the hoagie sales and the cookie sales and everything that everyone does. It’s a situation where everyone benefits and we’re delighted with it,” Young said.
According to Young, nonprofit organizations also help work the gates in exchange for a donation to their organizations.
She said the economic impact of Grange Park is between $16 and $20 million each year.
Young, who is a bit of a historian when it comes to the Grange Fair, said Centre County is the “last tenting fair in the nation.”
“We are indeed unique,” Young said.
BOC Chair Mark Higgins talked about the significance of the Grange Fair.
“It’s a unique and amazing event. The music committee — I don’t know how they do it — but every year, they manage to pick who is going to be the big act within a couple of years,” Higgins said.
In the past, the commissioners helped construct a massive ice cream sundae. COVID eliminated the massive treat, but Higgins pointed out that the commissioners will be there on Aug. 21 — which is also Kids’ Day — handing out ice cream cups.
“(We) will be passing out free individual cups of Penn State Creamery ice cream … five flavors,” Higgins said. “(Commissioner) Steve (Dershem) floated the idea, and Amber (Concepcion) and I were like, ‘That is an excellent idea, Steve.’ Let’s make this happen.”
Dershem said the ice cream event is a tradition.
“Even though we had to tweak it a bit, I’m sure that the dairy royalty will be there,” Dershem said.
Young said that while tradition is present throughout the Grange Fair, there will be some new traditions starting this year, including a Junior Ambassador Program and Leadership Grange Fair.
For more information about the Grange Fair, visit grangefair.com.
