Bonnie Brosious, Marketing Director/Talent Buyer, for The Great Allentown Fair, shared the rich history of one of the oldest fairs in the United States and one of the largest in the state of Pennsylvania.
The Lehigh County Agricultural Society is the nonprofit owner and operator of The Allentown Fairgrounds and The Great Allentown Fair. The Fair helps to fulfill the Society's mission of improving and advancing agriculture, horticulture, livestock, domestic and mechanical arts. The first fair was held in 1852 on a 5-acre plot located between Walnut and Union Streets, in Allentown. One of the most popular attractions of the early fairs was Stephen Lentz's Flying Coach, a brass band that performed on a hay wagon.
As the fair grew in popularity and attendance, the Lehigh County Agricultural Society decided in 1889 to purchase a 46-acre plot of land located on Seventeenth Street, between Chew and Liberty Streets, for its new home, where it remains today.
Early on, horse racing became a popular event at the Allentown Fair. One of the most exciting and best attended races was the one that racehorse, Dan Patch, set a record on the half mile track. Over the years, horse racing gave way to auto racing, which remained popular until the early 1960s. Auto racing was eventually replaced by the ever-popular musical concerts and performances that draw thousands of people to Allentown’s west end.
Today, the Fair continues to stay true to its agricultural roots by offering petting zoos, livestock judging contests, and a farmer's market, while providing diverse entertainment offerings, food, rides and amusements for all ages and tastes.
Other Club Announcements
Passing of Gordon Mowrer
Rotary members took an opportunity at our July 20th club meeting to share remembrances about Gordy Mowrer, who passed away on Tuesday, July 19. George Mowrer expressed his appreciation for all the condolences and kind words he and his family received. Services for Gordon Mowrer will be held at Central Moravian Church on Tuesday, July 26 at 10:00 am. At Gordy’s request, the family designated the Bethlehem Rotary Foundation to be one of the recipients of memorial donations for Gordy. Checks can be made out to the Bethlehem Rotary Foundation, c/o Bruce Palmer, Buckno, Lisicky & Company, 444 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
Program for July 27 Lunch Meeting
Our speaker for the July 27th weekly meeting is Melissa Craig, Executive Director of the Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley, a nonprofit organization working to meet the need for a coordinated system of primary care for the uninsured and/or underinsured residents in the Lehigh Valley.
