Pa. fairs get money for improvements

HARRISBURG, Pa. – $175,000 has been allocated to the fairs in Pennsylvania to make capital improvements at 24 of Pennsylvania’s 116 community fairs.

Through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Heritage Tourism Grant, The Pennsylvania Association of County Fairs was awarded $20,000 in additional funding.

Fairs good for community. “Fairs expose the urban and suburban population to the benefits our rural community has to offer,” said Pa. Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. “By funding improvement projects, county and community fairs are able to provide efficient and appealing structures, contests and displays.”

Governed by the Pennsylvania Fair Act, the Department of Agriculture Division of Fairs provides matching grants of up to $25,000 to agricultural societies and associations to develop and improve agricultural fairs.

Projects. Almost $175,000 will be used to make capital improvements such as restoration of old buildings, electrical repairs, plumbing upgrades and maintenance of barns.

The $20,000 DCED Heritage Tourism Grant will help to develop a pilot program for agri-tourism in Pennsylvania.

A cluster of seven agricultural fairs, two farmers’ markets and two wineries in Berks and Lehigh counties will be highlighted, along with Cabela’s retail store in Berks County.

Grant money will help to update the current Fair Association Web site (www.pafairs.org), purchase outdoor advertising and pay for printing of collateral materials.

For more information contact Brant Bickel at 717-787-5342 or visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us.

Recipients. The following is a list of funding recipients:

* Blue Valley Farm Show, Inc.: $7,500 to replace the roof of an existing building.

* Cambria County Fair: $10,076 toward new fencing around fair ground property, build new pigpens, stage pavilion and ticket booth.

* Clearfield Volunteer Fire Department: $7,634 to develop the “Expo 11 Plaza” area on grounds for electrical concessions.

* Clinton County Fair Association: $2,305 to replace upper horse ringfencing.

* Elizabethtown Fair: $1,626 toward electrical repairs.

* Elk County Fair Inc.: $13, 633 to replace and upgrade water line and distribution system for the entire fairgrounds.

* Fayette County Fair Association: $6,458 toward kitchen stainless steel tables and commercial refrigerator.

* Fulton County Fair Association: $9,750 to continue Phase 4 – Building 1 restoration project; install new doors, windows, electricservice and wiring.

* Gratz Agricultural & Horticultural Society: $10,000 to remodel commercial building interior.

* Harford Agricultural Society: $13,551 to build pole barn exhibit building.

* Hookstown Fair Inc: $3,007 toward Phase 2 – Asphalt paving.

* Huntingdon County Agricultural Association: $2,600 to supply, place and compact asphalt surface.

* Kiwanis Wyoming County Fair: $5,000 toward Phase 2 – permanent fencing.

* Lycoming County Fair Association: $11,600 toward micro-surface on midway and entrance area.

* Mercer County Agricultural Society: $3,885 toward roofing project.

* Mercer County Grange Fair: $2,800 toward bleacher seating and cyclone fencing.

* Plainfields Farmers Association: $15,000 toward site preparation and installation of storm drains and pole barn construction.

* Shippensburg Community Fair Inc.: $3,980 toward the grading and paving area for ADA access restrooms.

* Sinking Valley Community Farm Show Inc.: $3,475 to replace 10,000 square feet surface of all-purpose arena.

* Spartansburg Community Fair Association: $9,527 to extend electric supply line to livestock area.

* Warren County Fair Inc.: $13,922 toward the completion of sewage lines connecting into municipal system.

* Washington County Agricultural Fair Inc.: $4,500 to install ADA seating ingrandstand, fencing and concrete.

* Wayne County Cooperative Agricultural Society: $5,250 toward the lighting incattle barn and pavement of a sheep barn.

* Westmoreland Agricultural Fair and Recreation Association: $7,000 to build child safety bleacher kick-plates.