A Day at the Lebanon Area Fair

brick building marking the entrance to the Lebanon Area Fair

Date of Visit: July 21, 2024

The last week of July marks the return of the Lebanon Area Fair to the fairgrounds just south of the city of Lebanon.

It’s not a small fair, but it’s also not the largest of its kind – attainable is the word I would use, especially for young families like ours.

large sign reading "Best of Show" above a table with purple tablecloth and various baked goods and handmade items

There’s a flat $5 admission charge per person over the age of 10, with an additional cost for the track events. Fair-goers enter through the main exhibit hall building which is packed with entries in every imaginable category: baked goods, fine arts and crafts, fruits and vegetables, and flowers.

young boy standing in front of a Spider-Man scarecrow

There are also unexpected things, especially in the youth categories, like LEGO creations, hay bale sculptures, scarecrows and broom figures.

man hammering a pattern into a leather belt

Inside, there are also a handful of vendors, including some fine crafters. We stayed and watched a leatherworker hammer a design into an unfinished leather belt.

man singing on a small stage at the Lebanon Fair

On the opposite side of the entrance, sets of doors open into the outdoor fairgrounds. A pavilion with musical entertainment sits to the left – when we arrived, a duo had the crowd on their feet for a rendition of “God Bless the USA,” and when we left, it was a one-man Motown and R&B show.

cow along a fence inside a large barn at the Lebanon Fair

Past the pavilion are the stables where local youth have their cows, goats and sheep for showing and judging. Competitors led their prized animals around the show ring to the cheers of a crowd of friends and family.

child riding on a dragon-shaped roller coaster at the Lebanon Fair

Of course the rides and games were what our six-year-old was most interested in. It’s the usual group of carnival rides – the dragon roller coaster, fun house, small kiddie rides, and larger, spinning rides for the older kids.

young boy riding a pony that is being led around a ring by two women

Separate from the carnival area, two local farms were offering pony rides. Not sure how thrilled my son was or wasn’t, but that was our favorite ride to watch him on.

woman and child playing a carnival game rolling golf balls up an alley

The games are typical, too: pop-a-shot basketball, knock down the bottles, and other games that are always harder than they should be.

large signs advertising fried foods and items at the Lebanon Fair

Walking the midway, there are plenty of food options as well. You’ll find both the traveling carnival stands serving corn dogs and funnel cakes alongside local food trucks serving everything from barbecue to boba tea.

tractors line a field at the Lebanon Fair

Vendors are set up outside, too. One of the largest displays was a recruitment effort from the PA National Guard. Across from them were the latest tractors for purchase.

firefighter sprays a hose at a bulldozer during the firefighter competiton at the Lebanon Fair

As I mentioned, track shows cost extra – at least for the evening events. We visited early on Sunday afternoon while they were having the local firefighters competition. Entry to the event was free, and it was cool to see representatives from local fire departments with a chance to have some fun while they showed off their skills.

A second concert stage, one where guests could bring their own chairs, was reserved for the evening performances.

The midway also had space for the Victorian Circus – with their daredevil acts – and a petting zoo where you could purchase a cup of feed for the animals.

In all, we spent two hours roaming the grounds and enjoying the day – though the afternoon heat probably shortened our time by about an hour since we didn’t want to stop and sit for the shows.

In all, it was a wonderful afternoon and a great county fair.