HONESDALE, PA — In 1862, Wayne County decided to launch a fair.

There were earlier fairs, according to the Wayne County Historical Society. Bethany in 1822. Pleasant Mount, 1823.

Others at the Court House, between 1848 and 1856.

But the seeds of the fair as we know it now were planted in 1862, when a board of 15 was chosen. Twenty-two acres of land were purchased, the historical society said, and “[t]he first tasks were the construction of a half-mile track for speed trials, fencing and the beginnings of buildings to house the exhibits.”

Some things changed of course, over 164 years. A grandstand has been built, barns added, rides added. But the roots of the fair are still there and settled deep in the ground: farming, food and fun for all. 

It won’t empty your wallet

Watching your money? You can’t beat the Wayne County Fair. The cost is still pay-one-price at $12 per person.

“The Fair Board is always cognizant about our admission price,” said Jeffrey Firmstone a board member for the Wayne County Fair. “We believe there is no better bargain; you can park your car, be admitted to the fair and receive a wristband to ride all the rides all day [for] $12.”

Don’t forget the entertainment and ground acts, which also fall under the pay-one-price model. Consider “Rosair’s Racing Pigs, Mr. Buffalo children’s musical participation show, and the always popular DINO-ROAR Dinosaur show,” Firmstone said. 

On Friday, August 7 and Wednesday, August 12, there’s half-price admission for senior citizens and members of the military or Veterans.

Farm

“Our 4H and FFA children are great examples of everything rural Wayne County has to offer,” Firmstone said. “4H stands for Head, Heart, Hands and Health, and members make a pledge to the following: 

‘My Head to clearer thinking.’

‘My Heart to greater loyalty.’

‘My Hands to larger service.’

‘My Health to better living.’

“In this day and age, we all would be served well to reflect on the 4H pledge once in a while,” he continued. “The 4Hers begin working on their livestock projects months in advance of the fair. The discipline to raise a livestock animal will serve these children for their entire lives.”

A county fair isn’t just about winning stuffed toys and going on the Ferris wheel. “We always strive to stay true to our 164-year-old roots,” Firmstone said. “We are an agricultural fair first,” and “many of our patrons will never get closer to a cow, hog or lamb than they do at the Wayne County Fair.” 

There are animals to look at, and animals are auctioned. You’ll see cattle, hogs, sheep and goats, Firmstone said, as well as rabbits and the various fowl. “The Livestock Sale is the culmination of all of our children’s 4-H projects. After all, the animals raised by our 4-H members are market animals and every 4-H child is aware of what the last day of the fair means.” 

It’s an important lesson for anyone who becomes a farmer. 

The auction matters in another way too. “The greater Wayne County business community shows amazing support at the livestock auction, year in, year out. The sale and the great supporters in the business community show our children great recognition of all of the kids’ hard work.”

Food

Made by your neighbors, on display or in a competition, along with crafts. Those are in the Red Metal Building. You’ll find locally grown products, Firmstone said. The building is on the south end of the fairgrounds, and it is “always a great spot to take in the talents of local artisans and gardeners.” Do admire the baked goods!

And of course, there’s food for purchase from concession stalls.

Fun

“As a fair board, we strive to include local entertainment as a substantial part of our fair,” Firmstone said. The mullet contest? Well, that was tongue-in-cheek, but “it has quickly blossomed into an entertaining hour on Monday.” On opening day at 4 p.m., don’t miss the Turkey Calling Contest. 

Or the harness racing. “True to our ag roots, harness racing is always a featured event at our fair; this year offers four days of races,” Firmstone said. 

The rides, the eats—they’re all secondary to the ag roots of the fair, and the families who participate.

The fair offers a reunion, giving people a chance to meet up, talk to each other, see friends they haven’t met in a while. It’s “a great way to cap off the summer before school, work and the shorter days of fall take over the calendar.”

And those behind the fair

All 15 directors and 30 associate directors are volunteers. It takes that many (again, volunteer) people to put the fair together. “We are community-minded individuals who all enjoy being part of something bigger than the self and take great pride in making the fair happen every year,” Firmstone said. “On the very same piece of land north of Honesdale, for 164 years the Wayne County Fair has and continues to be the single largest, most popular event in all of Wayne County.”