The West End Fair began Sunday with the coronation of the 2019 West End Fair Queen.

The program, coordinated by Dana Borger, marks its fifth year. All the former West End Fair queens and princess were in attendance to welcome the newest young woman to the title.

Each fair queen spoke on the importance of the fair queen program and what it represents for the West End community.

Katarina Frantz, 2018 West End Fair Queen, acknowledges the honor she’s held for the past year.

“It’s not about the hair or the makeup, but it’s about family, agriculture and growth,” Frantz said.

After the introduction, D.J. Greenzweig of Kunkletown was announced as the 2019 West End Fair Queen.

She was crowned, sashed and given flowers by the former fair queens.

Greenzweig, a sophomore at Kutztown University, is a communications and professional writing double major. She is also a part of the cheerleading squad.

“I have so many memories of the fair as I was growing up. From setting it up to tearing it down in the rain, it’s a family affair,” Greenzweig said.

Greenzweig will be awarded a $500 scholarship at the end of her reign in 2020. She will have the opportunity to compete for State Fair Queen in Hershey in January.

As fair queen, her duties will include visiting the exhibits of the fair, interacting with her community, volunteering and representing the essence of the West End.

“Now that I have a crown and sash, I hope to reach more people and put a smile on their face,” Greenzweig said.

The stands were bustling on opening day, with commercial vendors and nonprofits selling food and wares.

For the second year in a row, the West End Food Pantry runs a stand.

“We adjusted a lot. Last year, we didn’t really have a lot of time, but we did what we could, and we learned a lot,” Karena Thek, director of the West End Food Pantry said.

The menu has changed, which features delicious new items such as an extra-large turkey leg, crab patty sandwich, mac-n-cheese bites, red beet eggs and a fair favorite — corn dogs.

“The turkey leg is massive, yummy and messy – it comes with wet wipes. The red beet eggs are a healthy alternative, but also represents Pennsylvania Dutch foods,” Thek said.

A storm moved through in the early evening, but cleared in plenty of time for the fireworks display.