Find food, fun and more at these Pennsylvania fairs

Fairgrounds across Pennsylvania will reopen over the coming weeks to visitors eager to enjoy rides, live entertainment, contests and much more after a year lost to the coronavirus pandemic. Whether you’re eager to dig into some funnel cake or test your mettle in tractor pulls, here’s when and where you can get your fill of fun.

When: Sunday, Aug. 15, 2 p.m.; Monday, Aug. 16, through Saturday, Aug. 21, 8 a.m.

Where: 485 Fair Hill Road, Harford

Admission: $8 advance/ $12 at gate for guests 3 feet and taller; $8 for ages 60 and older on Aug. 18 (Senior Citizens Day); parking is free

Details: 570-434-4300, hfair@nep.net or harfordfair.com.

Admission includes all rides, but there’s lots more happening throughout the fairgrounds.

Free grandstand events include the gas truck and semi truck pulls on Monday, Aug. 16; the hot tractor pull on Tuesday, Aug. 17; and the diesel truck pull on Wednesday, Aug. 18.

The grandstand also will host several ticketed events: Bullride Mania on Thursday, Aug. 19; (admission to sections G and H are free); a rodeo on Friday, Aug. 20; and the Jackpot Demolition Derby on Saturday, Aug. 21.

There also will be contests for different crafts, food, flowers and animals, among others; activities including the queen contest, turkey calling contest and baby show; and numerous vendors. Guests also can check out live musical entertainment.

When: Friday, Aug. 27, 3 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 28, and Sunday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m.; Monday, Aug. 30, through Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 3, and Friday, Sept. 4, 11 a.m.; Sunday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m.

Where: 457 Crestmont Drive, Dreher Twp.

Admission: $8 general admission (includes rides); $4 for ages 65 and older with ID on Aug. 29 and for military members and veterans on Aug. 30 (rides not included)

Details: gdsfair.org

Head to the entertainment pavilion each day for a variety of acts and events, including the fair royalty pageant, Cowboy Larry and Brave Beth, Buffalo Mountain bluegrass band, Damian the Magician and much more. The arena, meanwhile, will host events such as a car show, lawn mower racing, tractor and other pulls, and a firefighter’s competition.

There also will be plenty of livestock and other exhibits around awaiting judging, but guests also can head to the barn for the Clydesdale horse exhibit, livestock shows and other animal-focused activities.

Discounted admission is available for guests 65 and older on two Senior Days, Aug. 29 and Sept. 1, and for military members and veterans on Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 30. Rides are not included in those admissions, however.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 1, and Thursday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Monday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: 9141 Route 6, Meshoppen

Admission: $8 advance/$10 at gate; free for ages 62 and older on Wednesday and Monday and for veterans on Saturday

Details: wyomingcountyfair.com

Headliner Riley Green with special guest Nate Hosie will perform Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Hardy with special guest John Morgan will take the stage Saturday at 7 p.m. Concert tickets cost $35 for seats in the beer garden and pit, both located in front of the stage; $25 for track seats; and $15 for general admission/lawn seating. The beer garden is open to ages 21 and older, and photo ID will be required for admission.

Several local bands will perform as well throughout the festival grounds: Tangerine Dreams, Wednesday; Elk Lake High School band and Bad Liars, Thursday; Tunkhannock Area High School Marching Band and Wells River Band, Friday; Dallas Carter Band, Sunday; and the Frost Duo, Monday.

World champion chainsaw carver Dennis Beach will perform daily, and truck and tractor pulls will take place Wednesday and Thursday. There also will be numerous competitions, including baking, horseshoe pitching and queen contests. Kids, meanwhile, can enjoy the Buffalo Beals Petting Zoo, open daily, and the various rides, which open at noon every day.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 8, and Thursday, Sept. 9, 4 to 11 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 10, 4 to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Where: 3605 Route 18, Dallas

Details: luzernecountyfair.com

Find something for everyone at the fair. Check out the different livestock up for judging and 4-H exhibits, or put your own skills to the test by entering some of the contests, with categories including baking, sewing, scarecrows, pumpkin carving, photography, fishing, and arts and crafts. There also will be lots to keep you entertained, including tractor pulls and a horse show.

On Saturday, cheer on the competitors at the fair princess contest, happening at 1 p.m. on the main stage. Kids can compete in the Barnyard Olympics, which involves contests such as cow mooing and egg tossing, on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the arena.