Grange Fair Continues 141 Years of Family Tradition

In the generations that her family has been a part of the Grange Fair, Kelly Smith Eicher has seen the fair grow and change.

As someone whose ancestors helped found the fair 141 years ago, Eicher is a little more sensitive to these changes than most.

She says it\’s become \”more commercialized and modernized,\” with a greater focus on commercial vendors and carnival rides alongside the many agricultural exhibits and contests.

But some things never change.

\”I think most everyone would say the fair is as wonderful as its ever been,\” Eicher says. \”Family is the glue that holds this all together.\”

The Eicher family is one of thousands of families that camp out at the Grange Fairgrounds for the week of Grange Fair. Each year the Eichers look forward to this summertime ritual, eagerly awaiting their time surrounded by the bustling energy of the festival. This year they even entered the tent-decorating contest, decking out the front of their tent with a towering column of corn as an homage to a famous photo of the Grange Fair founder next to a huge corn tower in a history book about Centre Hall.

Informally known as a \”city in a town,\” the Grange Fair does resemble a sprawling city of tents and RVs, complete with street signs, restaurants, arcades and even churches. The fair features everything from animal contests and famous local food vendors to nationally-recognized live music and carnival games and rides.

Photo by Michael Martin Garrett/StateCollege.com

For Julia Kocher of the Centre County 4-H Goat Club, the Grange Fair is also a time to show off her hard work and bond with her animals.

She\’s been raising goats with her family for years, and is competing this year in the \’best of breed\’ competition. Though she says she enjoys being recognized for the time and effort she dedicates to her goats, she also loves seeing the smiles on little kids\’ faces when they get to pet a goat for the first time at the fair.

\”It\’s also really funny to watch some people\’s reactions,\” Kocher says. \”Some people come in and they\’re like, \’Wow! Look at that tiny cow!\’, so you can\’t help but to laugh a little bit.\”

Jersey Shore, Pa. resident Cat Garcia came out to the Grange Fair for the first time in 41 years with her daughter and granddaughters, and she was impressed by how much the fair has changed since she\’s been gone.

\”It\’s probably at least three times bigger now,\” Garcia says. \”It\’s definitely easier to get lost now!\”

But her granddaughter Olivia Brown didn\’t seem to worried about getting lost. She was more concerned about finding the next carnival ride she wanted to go on.

\”We\’ve been walking around, going on rides, all kinds of fun things,\” the eight year old says. \”It\’s fun way to end the summer.\”