County & Local Fairs for Your Summer Bucket List

Nothing says summer like eating funnel cake and riding a Ferris wheel! Pennsylvania is home to some of our country’s most historic and well-known county fairs. Experience exceptional fair fun at these Pennsylvania county and local fairs across the state.

1. York State Fair

york state fair in the evening under lights
York State Fair

First held in 1765 and recognized as the oldest state fair in PA and “America’s First Fair,” the York State Fair continues to delight fair goers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and beyond. This iconic summer event in PA has grown from a small agricultural market on the town square to a full-blown, multi-day celebration featuring live concerts, kid-friendly rides, a midway, livestock exhibits, and more delicious fair food than you can imagine. This year’s music headliners include Nelly and Dierks Bentley.

When: Jul. 21-30
Where: York
Cost: Prices vary

2. Lebanon Area Fair

cowboys watching cow rodeo
Lebanon Area Fair

Voted Lebanon Valley’s “Best Local Event” by area residents, the Lebanon Area Fair is a must-do when you’re near Hershey this summer. More than 50,000 guests flock to the fairgrounds every summer to experience classic fair fun including the annual showcase of Lebanon County’s agriculture, delicious food, carnival rides, track events, and live entertainment.

When: Jul. 22-29
Where: Lebanon
Cost: Prices vary

3. Clarion County Fair

The Clarion County Fair is the self-proclaimed “best part of summer!” Bring your friends and family to Redbank Valley Municipal Park for an entire week of merriment. Thrill seekers will love the wrestling show, carnival rides, and demolition derbies. Be sure to bring the kids to see the farm animals, pet show, and other fair attractions.

When: Jul. 23-29
Where: Fairmount City
Cost: $10; free for children ages 2 and under

4. Troy Fair

people watching pigs racing
Troy Fair

The popular Troy Fair will make a triumphant return this summer for the 147th annual event in Bradford County. The fair kicks off with classic amusement park rides including the Ferris wheel and merry-go-round, plenty of delicious fair food, tractor and truck pulls, and interesting agricultural displays and animal shows. Before you leave, make sure to check out the demolition derby and catch the Bull Ride Mania event!

When: Jul. 24-29
Where: Troy
Cost: Prices vary

5. South Mountain Fair

Sit back and enjoy the peak of summer at the 101st annual South Mountain Fair, Adams County’s only agricultural county fair. You can browse barns full of competing animals and find exhibits filled with beautiful needlework, arts, and crafts, baked and canned goods, flowers, and vegetables and fruit grown by the local community. More fair fun includes live musical entertainment, a draft and miniature horse pull, fireworks, carnival rides, and plenty of good eats.

When: July 25-29
Where: Biglerville
Cost: $8; free for infants in car seats

6. Clearfield County Fair

Support “Growing the Future” at the 162nd annual Clearfield County Fair. Bring the whole family to the fairgrounds for rides, parades, concerts, livestock competitions, and agricultural exhibits. Of course, no county fair would be complete without cotton candy, funnel cake, and other delicious foods, so be sure to snag a sweet or two!

When: Jul. 30-Aug. 5
Where: Clearfield
Cost: $5 advance admission; $8 gate admission; free for children under 36”

7. Schuylkill County Fair

Located on beautiful fairgrounds with acres of lush vegetation, the Schuylkill County Fair is filled with live entertainment, delicious food, and classic carnival games. See the best livestock and produce from local farms situated right in Schuylkill County. For thrill seekers, check out the truck and tractor pulls and other rides.

When: Jul. 31-Aug. 5
Where: Summit Station
Cost: $5-7; free for children ages 10 and under

8. Fayette Community Carnival

Fayette County is holding its annual Fayette Community Carnival, providing fun for the whole family for an entire week. This small-town festival celebrates the end of summer with live music, good food, fireworks, games, and parades. Not only are there exciting activities, but additionally, all the proceeds from the carnival benefit The Fayette Fire Company, The Fayette Lions Club, and The Fayette Township Community Building Association.

When: Aug. 1-5
Where: McAlisterville
Cost: Prices vary

9. 161st Annual Wayne County Fair

People walking toward Entrance at Wayne County Fair
161st Annual Wayne County Fair

At the Wayne County Fair, over 100,000 visitors flock annually to celebrate the summer season. With 26 big-time rides, kiddie rides, and interactive games, everyone in the family is sure to have a fair time. Check out agriculture events like horse, tractor, and truck pulls, and make sure to buy tickets to the always popular demolition derby.

When: Aug. 4-12
Where: Honesdale
Cost: $12

10. Greene County Fair

people walking around at county fair
Greene County Fair

The Greene County Fair has been a local tradition for the community and beyond since 1867. This annual agricultural fair is a week-long celebration featuring a schedule filled with truck pulls, a demolition derby, and other action packed events, livestock competitions, live music including country music artist Michael Ray, carnival rides, and festive fair foods!

When: Aug. 6-12
Where: Waynesburg
Cost: Prices vary

11. Mifflin County Youth Fair

Mifflin County Youth Fair at Youth Park is a local summer tradition. You'll say “holy cow!” when you watch the Barnyard Olympics with blue ribbon-winning livestock from local 4-H and FFA members. You can also find all the carnival classics including fun rides, food, and exhibits.

When: Aug. 5-12
Where: Reedsville
Cost: Free

12. 95th Annual Cochranton Community Fair

vegetables placed on table
95th Annual Cochranton Community Fair

Experience animal displays, horse and garden tractor pulls, dazzling performances, exciting contests, and an abundance of fair food at the 95th Annual Cochranton Community Fair! This family-friendly five-day event features attractions and live music including the Pittsburgh BelAirs, a singing group that specializes in Doo-Wop harmony & Motown.

When: Aug. 7-12
Where: Cochranton
Cost: Free

13. Carbon County Fair

The Carbon County Fair was originally created to showcase community animals and educational projects of the local youth. Now in its 19th year, the fair has evolved into a fun, family-oriented event with agricultural displays, fireworks shows, live music from a DJ named “DJ Chicken Nugget”, and line dancing. Don’t miss out on the annual lumberjack competition where you can watch world class lumberjack athletes use razor sharp axes.

When: August 7-12
Where: Palmerton
Cost: $7

14. Elk County Fair

elk county fair at night
Elk County Fair

Step right up for the Elk County Fair in Kersey! For a cheerful week in Central Pennsylvania, look no further than this fun-filled fairgrounds. This local county fair has classic carnival rides and food, as well as unique attractions, like the rock ‘n’ roll pet contest.

When: Aug. 8-12
Where: Kersey
Cost: Varies

15. McKean County Fair

county fair at night with lights on
McKean County Fair

Swing by Smethport for the 117th annual McKean County Fair. Known for celebrating Pennsylvania agriculture and family fun, the fair showcases the finest local produce and livestock the area has to offer. Enter your best produce, livestock, handiwork, and baked goods into one of the various competitions to take home grand prize, or spend the day enjoying the pony rides, pageants, demolition derby, and drag races.

When: Aug. 13-19
Where: Smethport
Cost: $10

16. Harford Fair

people watching goat auction
Harford Fair

Ready, set, grow to the 165th Harford Fair, the annual celebration of Susquehanna County’s agricultural community. Play farmer for a day and learn how to make farm-fresh honey or goat milk. Have a laugh at quirky competitions including the turkey calling contest and livestock skill-a-thon. Best of all, you can ride all the midway rides for free with the price of admission.

When: Aug. 14-19
Where: New Milford
Cost: $8 advance admission; $12 gate admission

17. 123rd Annual Somerset County Fair

A showcase of the region’s strong agricultural background, the Somerset County Fair has some of the largest and best livestock shows in the state as well as nightly grandstand entertainment. From square dancing and tractor rides to a pet parade, you’ll get lost in the fun at this classic 10-day Pennsylvania fair.

When: Aug. 17-26
Where: Meyersdale
Cost: $12

18. Centre County Grange Fair

Centre County Grange Fair poster
Centre County Grange Fair

Calling all fun-seekers! The Center County Grange Fair is the only remaining tenting fair in the United States, where thousands of families stay on property in tents and RVs. Known as the “home-away-from-home fair”, Centre County Grange is in its 149th annual year and has everything from live bluegrass music and goat shows to horseshow pitching contests and talent shows.

When: Aug. 18-26
Where: Centre Hall
Cost: Prices Vary

19. Westmoreland Agricultural Fair

Bird eye view of Agricultural Fair
Westmoreland Agricultural Fair | Credit : Alex Byer

Celebrating 69 years in 2023, the Westmoreland Agricultural Fair prides itself in showcasing Pennsylvania's No. 1 industry, agriculture, through this immersive and educationally oriented event every August. Spread out between 20 buildings including barns, pavilions, and a small arena, the fair hosts demolition derbies, bottle rocket competitions, pony rides, and petting zoos.

When: Aug. 18-26
Where: Greensburg
Cost: Prices vary

20. Crawford County Fair

county fair rides at night
Crawford County Fair

Held each year in August in Meadville since the 1950’s, the Crawford County Fair is the state's largest agricultural fair and the country’s biggest agricultural fair east of the Mississippi River. The fair hosts poultry shows, bull ride mania events, drag racing competitions, and truck and tractor pulls.

When: Aug. 20 -26
Where: Meadville
Cost: Prices Vary

21. The 101st West End Fair

group performing at main stage with audience around
The 101st West End Fair | Credit: Pocono Mountains

More than a century old, the West End Fair attracts over 180,000 visitors to its fairgrounds each year to celebrate the nearby towns and the summer season for an entire week. This iconic PA summer festival promises an exciting week filled with thrilling arena entertainment like opening night fireworks, agricultural exhibits, and antique tractors and engines. The fair opens each day at 2 p.m. and take note that each guest gets a free carousel ride with paid admission!

When: Aug. 20-26
Where: Gilbert
Cost: $7 per person ages 11 and older; 10 and under free

22. Transfer Harvest Home Fair

The town of Transfer is hosting its annual 145th Transfer Harvest Home Fair this August! Originally started as a weekend picnic in 1877, the fair has expanded to include live music, food vendors, arts and crafts, demolition derbies, and a fair queen contest. The fair aims to highlight local agriculture in the area with livestock displays. From grandparents to young kiddos, everyone will enjoy this ever bustling and classic summer fair.

When: Aug. 22–26
Where: Transfer
Cost: $1 per person, free for children ages 4 and under

23. Northumberland County Fair

piglets in a frame
Northumberland County Fair

Celebrating the historical traditions of the Northumberland agricultural community, the Northumberland County Fair is known as the “best little fair in PA.” This agriculture-based fair features activities and products for gardens, farms, and home improvement. The daily activities feature tractor pulls, delectable local foods and vibrant fireworks shows. Make sure to put this county fair on your summer bucket list to join in on the fun and get a taste of the local heritage of Northumberland!

When: Aug. 22-26
Where: Sunbury
Cost: Free

24. Greene Dreher Sterling Fair

Rides at Sterling Fair night
Greene Dreher Sterling Fair

The Greene Dreher Sterling Fair, also known as the GDS Fair, brings the sleepy town of Newfoundland to life each year with a 10-day event hosted over Labor Day weekend. Located in the rolling hills and lush forests of Wayne County, visitors can take part in the frog jumping contest, pie eating contest, or the car show. Don't miss Connie the Cow, the fair's mascot, as she makes another fun-filled appearance!

When: Aug. 25–Sep. 3
Where: Newfoundland
Cost: $8 per person

25. Indiana County Fair

horse racing on race course
Indiana County Fair

Get a front row seat to watch local farmers showcase their livestock, crafts, and baked goods at the week-long Indiana County Fair. Always held the week before Labor Day, celebrate 160 years of tractor pulls, harness racing, demolition derbies, nightly entertainment, and carnival food favorites when you attend this year’s event.

When: Aug. 27-Sep. 2
Where: Indiana
Cost: Varies

26. Sullivan County Fair

people watching horse sled race
Sullivan County Fair

Come one, come all to the Forksville fairgrounds for the 171st annual Sullivan County Fair, located along the lovely Loyalsock Creek. Get a taste of PA’s agricultural heritage with locally crafted beer and wine, maple products, and blue-ribbon apple pie. Enjoy the warm hospitality of a small-town celebration with a big heart!

When: Aug. 30-Sep. 3
Where: Forksville
Cost: $8; free for children ages 2 and under

27. The Great Allentown Fair

Amp up your Labor Day weekend when you attend The Great Allentown Fair. Held every year at the Allentown Fairgrounds, this end-of-summer event offers a fun and educational experience dedicated to supporting the achievements of farmers, gardeners, and homemakers. Learn the ins and outs of Pennsylvania agriculture as you ride hair-raising amusements, play classic fair games, and watch musical performances. Find a variety of vendors serving up delicious international cuisine, thrilling shows, and quirky displays featuring the latest in gizmos and gadgets.

When: Aug. 30-Sep. 4
Where: Allentown
Cost: $10; free for children ages 12 and under

28. Wyoming County Fair

pig training with stick
Wyoming County Fair

The annual Wyoming County Fair is a fun family event that celebrates the agricultural heritage of the local community over Labor Day weekend each year. Enjoy live music, horse pulls, rabbit shows, a 5K Race, and even a Fair Queen contest. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance to attend the live concert with Warren Zeiders!

When: Aug. 30-Sep. 4
Where: Meshoppen
Cost: Price varies

Looking for more events in PA this summer? Be sure to check out the visitPA website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more PA inspiration. Do not forget to sign up for our monthly Happy Thoughts e-newsletter so you never miss an update.

share or pin this article

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use our website, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies (and milk!) from visitPA.com. Learn more about cookie data in our Privacy Policy