Grange Fair Canceled

CENTRE HALL – The Grange Fair, a central Pennsylvania institution for 145 years, will not see a 146th edition this year.

Grange Fair President Ben Haagen made the announcement on Wednesday, writing “It is with great sadness that the Centre County Grange Fair Committee announces the cancellation of the 2020 Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The health and safety of our tenting and RV families, fairgoers, staff, concessionaires, sponsors and entertainers is of utmost importance.”

Billed as the largest tent encampment east of the Mississippi River, the annual event draws tens of thousands of people each August to the fairgrounds in Centre Hall. Families camp there for fair week, a tradition dating back through multiple generations.

The Grange Fair joins the Clinton County Fair as among the annual fairs to be cancelled this year.