HONESDALE, PA — Baby cows, derby racing, live music and thrilling rides will be arriving shortly at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.

The annual county fair—the summer’s must-see event—will be hosted at the fairgrounds from Friday, August 4 through Saturday, August 12. The fairgrounds will open at 9 a.m., the midway and rides open at 12 noon, and the grounds will close at 11 p.m.

Visitors can purchase tickets at the main entrance or at select local businesses, such as Dirlam Bros. Lumber,  Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant in Waymart and the Turkey Hill Mini-Mart.

Tickets include parking and free rides with admission and cost $12 per person for all guests above two years of age.

On August 4, all guests aged 62 and over are eligible for half-price tickets from 9 a.m. to close. Also on August 4 and again on August 9, veterans who present a veteran ID are eligible for half-price tickets. Seasonal tickets can also be purchased for $50, which includes admission to the grounds.

What’s happening at the fair?

The paved midway includes 26 thrill rides; a separate kiddie land on the south end of the fair offers rides for smaller children.

Live entertainment includes a mix of thrill shows, harness racing, fireworks, the demolition derby, a huge monster truck show, truck pulls—plus live music shows in the grandstand with national cover bands.

You’ll also find daily strolling entertainment throughout the fairway: racing pigs, jugglers, magicians, a T-Rex dinosaur show, chainsaw carving and more. And there’s live music every night on the small stage on the southern end of the fair. For details, see schedule at riverreporter.com/arts-leisure.

The Wayne County Historical Society maintains a barn full of historical agricultural elements at the south end of the fairgrounds and is a wonderful example of farming from days gone by.

The barns on the northern end of the fair hold one of the fair’s biggest attractions—the animals. In these barns, you’ll find the Wayne County 4-H kids displaying their sheep, cows, pigs, goats, rabbits and horses for competition. On the last day of the fair, the 4-H and FFA will hold their livestock sale at 10 a.m. in the arena. For more, see the story from Tri Gal 4-H Club at right. Learn about the scholarships the sale funds on page 16.

Years of fun and food

The Wayne County Agricultural Society established the fair in 1862. Over the past 160 years, the Wayne County Fair has seen nearly 100,000 guests each summer. The annual tradition gives families a chance to reconnect and spend time with each other.

“Every year I have the chance to reconnect with those friends and, along with a whole bunch of dedicated volunteers, to help create memories for the current kids involved in the program,” said Orley Mae White, a Wayne County resident and 4-H mom of five.

“I especially look forward to sale day, to see the seniors honored for their hard work and achievements and to marvel at the amazing generosity of the people of Wayne County,” White said. “It is proof to me that the good in us is alive and well.”

Information contributed by Bold Gold Media.