Learn to milk a cow or kick back and enjoy some live entertainment with the family — whatever your interest, the 54th annual Luzerne County Fair will have something to pique it.
BMX stunt bikes, juggling and trapeze acts of Hansen’s Spectacular and the Pork Chop Review featuring swines trained to perform are just the tip of the iceberg. The county fair will also feature world champion Elvis impersonator, songwriter, musician and actor Ryan Pelton; Morgan Fraizer from the NBC singing competition “The Voice” and RJ Scouton Band with special guest AmandaJo, to name a few.
“We are always looking for new educational attractions,” said Brenda Pugh, Luzerne County Fair committee chairwoman. “Every year we circulate entertainment.”
The Luzerne County Fairgrounds, located on Route 118, will open from 4 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 7 and 8; 4 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9; 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept 10; and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11.
Admission is $10. Children, who are 2 years old and younger are admitted free. On Wednesday, guests can bring in a nonperishable food item and save $2 off their admission fee. All food donations will be given to a local food bank, she said.
On Thursday, the admission fee for senior citizens is $5.
New this year will be Family Fun Day on Sunday, Sept. 11 where children ages 3 to 12 years old will be admitted for $6. Admission for children 2 years old and younger remain free. Visit luzernecountyfair.com for more pricing information and event schedules.
The glamor of the main stage performances will have some hefty competition with new activities such as the Incredible Milking Cow.
The life-size interactive dairy cow will give guests an opportunity to learn how to milk a cow under the guidance and supervision of the 4-H children, Pugh said.
The fair committee was able to purchase the fiberglass cow due to an anonymous donation, she said.
Pugh said fair-goers are encouraged to submit a name suggestion for the interactive cow in a drawing that will be held at the end of the fair.
The individual with the winning name will receive free tickets to next year’s fair.
Also, Agri-Puppets, a mobile puppet named Boomer that will “drive” a small vehicle through the fairgrounds to motivate agriculture education among attendees, Pugh said. Boomer’s friends, Lisa and Twerk, will continue the lessons at a puppet show at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 7, 8 and 9; and 2 p.m. Sept. 10; and 12:30, 3:30 and 6 p.m. Sept. 11.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, the 2016 Fair Princess Contest will be held at the Livestock Tent.
Last year, fairgoers had some wet weather to contend with, but it did not stop many from enjoying the sights of the Luzerne County Fair. Pugh estimated nearly 40,000 people came through the gates last September.
“The number of guests was down last year,” she said. “It rained four out of the five days (of the fair).”
This September, Pugh and her staff of volunteers are planning on dry weather and will be ready to accommodate more people.
The Luzerne County Fair, a registered 501(3)C nonprofit, is supported through individual donations and sponsored by various local businesses.
