Your complete guide to Lancaster County's 2024 fairs, including what's new, things to do (2024)

Fair season will soon return to Lancaster County for yet another year of fun, rides, agricultural experiences and much, much more.

The season formally kicks off with the Elizabethtown Fair on Aug. 19, then continues nearly weekly with seven regional fairs. The Manheim Community Farm Show, running from Oct. 7-11, marks the end of the season.

Several fairs are celebrating big milestones in 2024. The West Lampeter Community Fair celebrates its 100th anniversary this year— complete with programming nearly double the length of its typical fair. The Solanco Fair will celebrate its 75th anniversary, and the Manheim Community Farm Show will celebrate its 70th anniversary.

Other fairs are hosting celebrations with both new and returning attractions, like the Ephrata Fair's lawn mower races that were rained out in 2023.

Sally Nolt, board member and secretary for the Elizabethtown Fair, says she looks forward to the fair's new camel rides. The Elizabethtown Fair kicks off Lancaster County's annual fair season.

"Our fair is a time for the community to come together as summer ends, and to celebrate (agriculture) and the talents of our community, especially youth," Nolt says.

Here's what you need to know about Lancaster County's 2024 fair season.

Elizabethtown Fair

When: Aug. 19-24.

Hours: 5-11 p.m. Aug. 19, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 20-24.

Location: Elizabethtown Fairgrounds, 900 E. High St., Elizabethtown.

Details: The Elizabethtown Fair has a variety of different events to partake in, from agricultural exhibits and carnival rides to food, games, contests and more. Rides open at 2 p.m. Aug. 19-23, and at noon Aug. 24. Those wanting to save some money on rides can "Ride For One Price" from 6-11 p.m. Aug. 19, 2-6 p.m. Aug. 20-23 and noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 24. The petting zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Cost: Free admission.

What's new: The Elizabethtown Fair will have two new bands performing on the Lottery stage— variety group Clockwork Band and country group Chris Woodward & Shindiggin. Country artists Maya Talarico and Elijah Myers will also perform nightly pop-up shows. In addition, there will be the Hot Diggity Dog Show, a new agri-cation center, camel rides and giant ice cream sundaes.

Don't miss these events:

— Aug. 19: Fair Queen competition with Dan and Galla at Kiwanis Stage, 6 p.m.

— Aug. 20: Baby race at Kiwanis Stage, 5:30 p.m.; adult skid loader rodeo in the arena, 7 p.m.; baked goods auction at Lottery Stage, 7 p.m.

— Aug. 21: Rock N Roll Pet Store kids show, 6 p.m.; The Uptown Band at Kiwanis Stage, 7 p.m.

— Aug. 22: Jess Zimmerman Band concert at Kiwanis Stage, 7 p.m.; tractor games in the arena, 7 p.m.

— Aug. 23: Pedal power tractor pull, 6 p.m.; Flamin' Dick and the Hot Rods at Kiwanis Stage, 7 p.m.

— Aug. 24: Corn hole tournament, 2 p.m.; comedy hypnotist Mike Bishop at Lottery Stage, 7 p.m.; fireworks, 10:45 p.m.

More information: etownfair.com; 717-367-0508.

Denver Fair

When: Sept. 10-14.

Hours: Starting at 11 a.m. daily. Exhibits run from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 10, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 11-13, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14. Rides run from 6 p.m. to close Sept. 10-12 and 1 p.m. to close Sept. 13-14.

Location: Denver Memorial Park, 801 Main St., Denver.

Details: The Denver Fair is an agricultural fair that also features a midway, as well as carnival games and rides. It has a daily petting zoo that opens at 4 p.m. Sept. 10-12, noon on Sept. 13 and 11 a.m. Sept. 14. For those who love carnival rides, the fair will offer an armband pass at select times for $25. A full week armband pass is available for $75.

Cost: Free admission.

What's new: Mitch and the Mood Swings, new to the fair, will perform a Saturday show from 12:30-3:30 p.m. There will also be three free midway acts: Cowboy Andy Rotz Western Show, the Tiger Encounter show and Rannel's Rustics Chainsaw Carvers.

Don't miss these events:

— Sept. 10: Opening ceremonies and a performance from the Cocalico Marching Band on the main stage, 6:30 p.m.

— Sept. 11: Miss Denver Fair Queen contest on the main stage, 7 p.m.

— Sept. 12: The Uptown Band on the main stage, 6:30 p.m.

— Sept. 13: Kiddie Day activities, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

— Sept. 14: Hot wing eating contest on the main stage, 2 p.m.; fireworks, 9:45 p.m.

More information: thedenverfair.com; 717-844-4198; info@thedenverfair.com.

Solanco Fair

When: Sept. 18-20.

Hours: Opens at 9 a.m. Sept. 18 and 10 a.m. Sept. 19-20.

Location: Solanco Fairgrounds, Park Ave., Quarryville.

Details: The Solanco Fair is one of Lancaster County's three agricultural fairs that doesn't feature a midway, or rides, though there's no shortage of interesting and entertaining events. It features many agricultural exhibits, food, contests and more.

Cost: Free admission and free parking.

What's new: There is nothing new for this year's Solanco Fair, though it is the fair's 75th anniversary.

Don't miss these events:

— Sept. 18: Street parade in downtown Quarryville, 6 p.m.

— Sept. 19: Antique and classic tractor pull, 5 p.m.; baby parade in the Upper Ball Field, 7 p.m.

— Sept. 20: Pedal tractor pull competition in the Upper Ball Field, 6 p.m.; Iron Man contest in the Lower Ball Field, 7:30 p.m.

More information: solancofair.org.

Ephrata Fair

When: Sept. 24-28.

Hours: Events start at 11 a.m. Sept. 24, 9 a.m. Sept. 25, 10 a.m. Sept. 26, 11 a.m. Sept. 27 and 7 a.m. Sept. 28.

Location: Downtown Ephrata, including much of State and Main streets. Most of the exhibits and the midway will be in that location. Tent City, known as the spot for most of the agriculture exhibits, will be located in Grater Park on Cloister Ave.

Details: The Ephrata Fair doubles as a street fair and an agricultural fair. It features a good mix of entertainment, including tractor games, concerts, demonstrations, bake sales, rides and more. Rides open at 4 p.m. Sept. 24-25 and Sept. 27, and at noon Sept. 26 and Sept. 28. The petting zoo runs from 4-9 p.m. Sept. 24 and Sept. 26-27, as well as 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 25.

Cost: Free admission.

What's new: While there aren't any new attractions for this year's fair, there are some special events returning for a second year. The lawn mower races, canceled due to rain in 2023, will return Sept. 24. The scrapple eating competition, which started in 2023, will return this year on Sept. 28.

Don't miss these events:

— Sept. 24: Antique tractor games at the upper ball diamond, 6:30 p.m.; lawn mower racing at the lower ball diamond, 7:30 p.m.

— Sept. 25: A parade that features acts like the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts and the Kutztown University Marching Band, 7 p.m.

— Sept. 26: Kids day, noon to 5 p.m.

— Sept. 27: Candy scramble in Tent City, 5:45 p.m.; Chiques Gospel Bluegrass Group in Tent City, 7 p.m.

— Sept. 28: Scrapple eating contest, 8-10 a.m.; Jess Zimmerman Band concert at Whistle Stop Plaza, 7-9 p.m.

More information: ephratafair.org; 717-733-4451.

West Lampeter Community Fair

When: Sept. 25-27, with special evening events from Sept. 22-24.

Hours: Starting at 4 p.m. Sept. 22, noon Sept. 23, 4 p.m. Sept. 25, 9 a.m. Sept. 25-27.

Location: Lampeter Community Park, 851 Village Road, Lancaster.

Details: The West Lampeter Community Fair celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, bringing with it three more days of activities than a typical fair year. Sept. 22 will feature the fair opening, a kid's candy drop event and live entertainment, as well as the Fair Queen contest and a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 23 will feature tractor pulls and a baby parade. Sept. 24 will feature "Lampeter's Got Talent." The agricultural fair, which doesn't feature rides, then continues through Sept. 27, with plenty of exhibitions, competitions, entertainment and more. The petting zoo runs 1-9 p.m. Sept. 25 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 26-27.

Cost: Free admission.

What's new: Given that the fair is twice the length it usually is, there are a lot of new activities. There will be a new talent show, Lampeter's Got Talent, with the top three competitors receiving a monetary prize. The fair queen will be crowned Sunday so that she can meet people throughout the duration of the fair. A parade of fair queens will take place Sept. 22, with more than 30 previous fair queens taking part. There are also new activities and demonstrations.

Don't miss these events:

— Sept. 22: Stoltzfus Homestead's baby goats, 4-7 p.m.; community hymn sing, 5:30 p.m.; fireworks, 8:30 p.m.

— Sept. 23: Baby parade, 6 p.m.; pedal tractor pull competition, 7 p.m.

— Sept. 24: Lampeter's Got Talent, 4 p.m.

— Sept. 25: Tractor parade, 6:30 p.m.; tractor games, 7:30 p.m.

— Sept. 26: Lampeter-Strasburg High School marching band concert, 6 p.m.; barnyard chase, 7 p.m.

— Sept. 27: All Western Horse Show, 6 p.m.

More information: westlampeterfair.com.

New Holland Farmers Fair

When: Oct. 2-5.

Hours: The midway opens at 11 a.m. daily. Fair opens at 10 a.m. Oct. 4 for a tractor driving contest, and 8 a.m. Oct. 5 for a horseshoe pitching contest at New Holland Community Park.

Location: Downtown New Holland, on the 100 blocks of East and West Main Street. Many of the exhibits will be held in the New Holland Farmers Fair building at 101 W. Franklin St.

Details: The New Holland Farmers Fair is an agricultural fair that has a wide variety of entertainment, including a midway, agricultural exhibits, competitions, Bingo, line dancing, parades and more. Rides open at 4 p.m. Oct. 2-3, noon Oct. 4-5.

Cost: Free admission.

What's new: The fair will feature a new mobile petting zoo, open during fair hours Oct. 4-5.

Don't miss these events:

— Oct. 2: Opening parade, 7 p.m.

— Oct. 3: Tug of War on Franklin Street, 8 p.m.

— Oct. 4: Line dancing on Franklin Street, 6:30-8 p.m.

— Oct. 5: Baby parade, followed by a pet parade, 1 p.m.

More information: newhollandfair.org; info@newhollandfair.org; 717-354-5880.

Manheim Community Farm Show

When: Oct. 7-11.

Hours: Runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, though events start at different times throughout the day.

Location: Manheim Farm Show, 502 Adele Ave., Manheim.

Details: This agricultural fair features many exhibits, competitions, animal shows and more. It does not have rides. Students in the Manheim Central School District have a half day Oct. 9, and off school Oct. 10-11.

Cost: Free admission and free parking.

What's new: It's the 70th anniversary of the Manheim Community Farm Show, so the fair will celebrate with special exhibit classes and ribbons. There will be new events with Legos, canned goods and vegetables, baked goods and antique tractors, as well as new food stands, new theme days and more. Themes celebrate community, livestock, volunteers, families and farm show food.

Don't miss these events:

— Oct. 7: Children's parade, 6:15 p.m.; antique tractor demonstration at the ball field, 6:30 p.m.; celebrity cornhole competition, 8 p.m.

— Oct. 8: Children's, youth, ladies' and men's pedal tractor pull, 6:45 p.m.

— Oct. 9: Parade, 7 p.m.

— Oct. 10: Manheim Central High School Club cornhole tournament, 1 p.m.; family fun night, 6:30 p.m.

More information: manheimfarmshow.org.