Locals enjoy tenting tradition, camaraderie at Grange Fair

By Meredith Peachey

CENTRE HALL-Wes Lomison, Ken Shady and Greg Hoy have each loved tenting at the Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair; Lomison for 57 years, Shady for 53 and Hoy for 24.

“This is a one of a kind fair,” Shady said, “Nothing compares to the Grange Fair.”

Lomison, 1973 Lock Haven High School grad and current Orviston resident, started tenting after his dad, Kelsey, struck a deal with former Fair Vice President, David Nolan, in 1967: the Kels Lomison Band–which included Wes on guitar–would provide entertainment if his family could have a campsite.

“I told [dad] the only way we’re going is if you get us a tent,” Lomison said.

Nolan immediately agreed and the Kels Lomison Band band was a regular act, performing for many years after the Grand Stand headliners finished and providing the hoedown music for square dances. Nowadays, Wes plays guitar with other musicians for the Sunday evening church service and he, with his wife, Missie, occupy the family tent, which includes a kitchen extension in the back, three futon sofa beds, an air fryer, crock pot, microwave and fridge plus an awning in the front.

“This is our vacation,” Wes said, adding that he and his wife especially love spending quality time with their tent-site neighbors and fair-friends.

“The camaraderie and fellowship you have is a good time,” he said.

They also like how the variety of entertainment and food has changed over the years, though Wes still enjoys old standbys like Gordy’s steakburgers and Mr. Sticky’s.

“It’s something for everybody,” Missie said.

The only thing they don’t like is that improvements seem to center on the outskirts of the grounds and not the original campground/tent areas.

Shady, Lock Haven native, now resident of Blanchard, shares in Lomison’s dislikes, especially how many campers have been added to the surrounding area.

“You really got to hustle for parking,” Shady said.

In 1971, Shady started tenting as a young man, though he was a long-time attender before that. He’s been in his tent location ever since, still marveling that his name had only been on the waiting list for one year before he was given the spot.

“I was very lucky,” Shady said. “They don’t even take down names anymore.”

Though he didn’t this time, Shady also sets up an extension in the back and awning in the front most years. In the beginning part of their fair tenure, he and his wife, Peg, used to sleep overnight–even bringing their six-week-old son to stay in 1972–but nowadays, they come in every day first thing in the morning and go back home after things shut down. Like Lomison, Shady favors the friendship with his fellow fair-goers, sharing how things have evolved over the years.

“I like to socialize with my neighbors,” Shady said.

His favorite foods are pierogies and Gross’s french fries, though the price for the latter has spiked quite a bit since his childhood.

“They were 15 to 25 cents in the 1950’s,” Shady said.

Hoy, of Lock Haven, and his sister, Amy Young, of Beech Creek, bring food from home because of how expensive fair food has become. They also don’t like how much the price for games have increased over the two-and-a-half decades they’ve been tenting.

“They’re outrageous,” Hoy said.

Hoy, 46, also got his tent after going on the waiting list, though his delay was longer than Shady’s.

“My dad put my name on the waiting list when I was born,” Hoy said.

Even before acquiring the tent, Hoy and Young were coming to the fair for the duration to enjoy cheesesteaks, pizza and ice cream.

“Fair food, ya got to love it,” Hoy said.

Like Lomison and Shady, they also love visiting with extended family members and old friends that they wouldn’t otherwise see throughout the year.

“You don’t get to see them a lot unless you’re here,” Young said.

This year, the Grange Fair celebrates 150 years and runs from August 16 to 24. More information is available at https://grangefair.com.