CENTRE HALL — Summer’s grand finale is here.
For more than 150 years, families have pitched their tents, parked their campers and gathered at Grange Park to celebrate one of Centre County’s most cherished traditions. From livestock competitions and homemade exhibits to nationally known musical acts, tractor pulls and midway rides, the 2026 Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair promises nine days of activities for visitors of every age.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights scheduled throughout fair week.
Move-In Day — Thursday, Aug. 20
While the fair officially opens on Friday, the excitement begins a day earlier as thousands of tenters and campers settle into Grange Park for Move-In Day. The annual tradition starts at 7 a.m. with tenter move-in, followed by exhibit entries, the Centre County Residents Show and overflow camping. Families can also enjoy a children’s “Make a Bluebird Box” activity hosted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission before opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. The evening wraps up with Grange Fair 5K packet pickup and registration and the Junior Dairy Goat Show, setting the stage for another week of agriculture, community and tradition.
Opening day — Friday, Aug. 21
The first full day of the fair gets underway with a variety of agricultural events, family activities and entertainment. Visitors can explore the Health Fair sponsored by Mount Nittany Health on the Southside Stage from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., enjoy kids karaoke and dancing beginning at 11 a.m., meet the animals, watch the truck pull and take in country legend Collin Raye’s grandstand concert at 8 p.m. Heather Olsen performs beginning at 4 p.m. at Jubilee Grove.
Saturday, Aug. 22
Early risers can lace up for the Grange Fair 5K starting at 7:30 a.m., before spending the day exploring livestock shows, the farm tractor pull, free dental and vision screenings sponsored by LION Mobile and 4-H robotics demonstrations at the Rec Building. The Celebrity Chef Farm-to-Table series continues at 10 a.m., while country singer John Foster closes out the evening with an 8 p.m. grandstand performance. Tractor pull fans can also catch evening competition on the track.
Sunday, Aug. 23
Sunday offers a slower pace centered around faith, family and community. Worship services begin the day, followed by a cornhole tournament, youth tie-dye activity, bike giveaway and the popular garden tractor pull. Visitors can also enjoy live gospel music in Jubilee Grove while livestock competitions continue throughout the day.
Kids Day — Monday, Aug. 24
Monday is Kids Day, with youth through high school admitted free until 4 p.m. Highlights include relay races, temporary tattoos benefiting Make-A-Wish, child safety seat inspections, an ice cream social, mini horse demonstrations and activities throughout the recreation building. The evening concludes with an interstate tractor pull and a performance by Shenandoah at 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 25
Youth take center stage Tuesday with the annual talent show and floral design activities, while adults can learn about winemaking during demonstrations in the Grange Building. Visitors can also enjoy live music throughout the afternoon before the Grange Fair Rodeo begins at 7 p.m. Christian music group GloryWay headlines the grandstand later that evening.
Military Appreciation Day — Wednesday, Aug. 26
Active military members and veterans receive free admission with proof of service on Military Appreciation Day. The schedule includes the Little King and Queen Contest, pedal tractor pull, youth cookie decorating, side-by-side drag racing and the always entertaining animal dressing contest. Country artist Emily Ann Roberts takes the grandstand stage at 8 p.m. following the conclusion of the fair’s Ultimate Emily Ann Roberts VIP Experience contest.
Senior Citizens Day — Thursday, Aug. 27
Adults 62 and older receive free admission, making Thursday one of the fair’s most popular days. The annual Grange Fair Parade steps off at 1 p.m., while a senior health fair, healthy aging bingo, shuttle service for senior guests and agricultural competitions fill the day’s schedule. The evening wraps up with the light farm tractor pull before classic rock band Invasion performs at 8 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 28
Agriculture moves to center stage with the Junior Livestock Sale, one of the fair’s signature annual events. Visitors can also enjoy another Celebrity Chef Farm-to-Table demonstration, Centre County Government Recruitment Day, bluegrass music, line dancing and the opening night of the Atlantic Pro Pulling League National Event. Contemporary Christian artist Leanna Crawford headlines the grandstand concert.
Closing Day — Saturday, Aug. 29
The final day of the fair features Food Bank Day, a scavenger hunt, face painting, another Celebrity Chef Farm-to-Table demonstration and the concluding night of the Atlantic Pro Pulling League competition. Richie & The High Street Rockers provide the evening’s grandstand entertainment before the final Grange Fair raffle jackpot drawing closes another year of memories.
Whether visitors come for the concerts, livestock shows, midway rides, agricultural competitions or simply the tradition of spending a week under the tents, the Grange Fair once again offers a celebration of community that has defined Centre County summers for generations.
