September Update

We would like to first give you a little history of the Centre Hall Fairgrounds, known locally as the Grange Fair. You can also log onto their web site at www.grangefair.net for more information.

Centre Hall is located about the middle of Pennsylvania just south of I-80 and north of RT 22/322. It’s only 11 miles east of State College, PA, home of Penn State Football.

In 1874, local resident, Leonard Rhone, recognized the need for an organization to promote farming and to advocate for farm and rural families. He learned of the Grange movement and felt it would be ideal for central Pennsylvania. He organized nine Subordinate Granges and encouraged them to introduce their neighbors to the Patrons of Husbandry by inviting them to a picnic at Leech’s Woods near Linden Hall. That became an annual event, held on Mount Nittany, at Old Fort and at the Pennsylvania Agricultural College. Several families brought tents to stay overnight, so Mr. Rhone borrowed tents from the National Guard, and rented them to the attendees. A permanent home for the Picnic was purchased in 1890 and with additions over the years; the Fairgrounds now consist of more than 200 acres. The Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair boasts 975 tents, 1500 RV’s, a playground, 300 concessions, amusement rides, over 7000 exhibit items, livestock, tractor pulling, horseshoe pitching contests and has drawn crowds in excess of 200,00. Nationally know entertainers appear on the Grandstand and a parade showcasing local school bands and floats is held on the last day.

The committees are looking forward to giving all attendees a week long fun filled list of activities full of fun and friendship. Most of these activities will be housed in the all new facilities that have been placed on grounds within the past couple years, some used only once since being built. The latest being a command center for the fair security and EMS. The building will house our communications and security committees, it could also be used for our emergency medical personnel, and however the first aid will be in the fair office building. This also is a new office complex.

Because of the four new very large buildings, most activities will be housed in those buildings including commercial with some activities scheduled in other buildings. The teens will have a fairly large building with basketball courts outside and area for volleyball. There is a playground the youth can use hopefully near their building.

A couple things we want to stress, none of the buildings are air conditioned but have large overhead doors.

There are now several new restrooms facilities, most of those have showers, however they are pay showers. The cost is $1.00(4 quarters) so bring lots of quarters.

Plans at this time is for two restaurants open on grounds, (one is a set down breakfast, lunch, and dinner) Also a small grocery store and a couple of stands selling pizza. Of course there will be an ice cream vendor. There is only one restaurant in town; however state college is only 11 miles away with lots of restaurants and the famous Penn State Creamery. Bellefonte is just over the mountain and they have restaurants too.

Our entertainment committee has all the evening entertainment lined up already which promises to be very outstanding entertainment each evening.

The camping areas are all grass, all have electric and water. All main roads are asphalt, however he roadways within the camping area is grass.

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