In the St. Matthew’s UCC food stand, Renee Keiper added a fresh coat of white paint to the back wall. Next door in the Pleasant Valley PTO Funnel Cake stand, Briana Frost changed light bulbs above the counter where the dessert gets its powdered sugar. At the livestock barns, Kelly Garrity transferred black-eyed Susans to the flower bed. A trailer moved a children’s ride to the field, where others arrived this past week.

Around the fairgrounds, vendors prepared for the start of the 100th West End Fair in Gilbert, which begins at 2 p.m. Sunday.

“I am looking forward to our largest crowd ever,” said Peanut Greenzweig, president of the West End Fair Association. “I want everyone to enjoy our food, rides, entertainment, exhibits, livestock and special hay bale 100th anniversary cake by the main stage. This is going to be a special year for our county fair.”

There will be a 100th anniversary parade at 2:30 p.m. Sunday featuring tractors, groups on foot, musicians and anyone else who wants to join, he said.

The museum will be open all week, with signs and memorabilia dating to the fair’s early years.

“I love seeing how the fair has changed, and it is still changing,” said Julie Weiss, assistant secretary of the West End Fair Association and a fair director from Chestnuthill Township.

For its celebratory year, there is special demonstration tent featuring Quiet Valley Living Historical Farms, Longarm Charm Quilting, Baskets & Boards, Shirley Haydt and Friends, Monroe County Historical Association and Pohopoco Creek Alpacas.

“I am also excited for the 100th anniversary demonstration area, which is new and special for the 100th year. It will have different events every day,” said Jennifer Rufo, a member of the West End Fair Association.

These events include lessons on food preservation, fiber arts, historic farm tools, quilting, basket weaving, quilling, Monroe County and West End Fair history, and alpacas.

Farmer for a Day returns after its two-year absence because of the pandemic.

“This is a free and fun activity for children of all ages located near the livestock arena,” Rufo said.

Children will play the part of a farmer and pick fruits and vegetables, collect eggs and pretend to milk a cow. There will also be a corn bin and tick-tack-toe game.

All week, fairgoers will receive a token for a free carousel ride when they pay their $7 admission fee.

There will be a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

There will be free rides on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. Student admission is $4 on Thursday.

Friday admission is $2 off for those who bring a canned good to donate to the West End Food Pantry.

Livestock but no poultry

“The number of cows and sheep are up, while the number of rabbits and goats are down. There will be no poultry due to the avian influenza,” said Garrity, a livestock worker.

The state agricultural department said poultry is not allowed at events where state funding is given.

“It’s not a human issue, it is a bird issue. If there’s a bird here with influenza, then someone could carry it home to other birds,” she said.

Entertainment

“There will be two nights of junk car races this year, along with dirt-a-rama Go-Karts, demolition derby, 4x4 truck pulls and tractor pulls and a rodeo,” Greenzweig said.

Cartesion Dance Academy performs at the bandshell all week.

Various musicians including The Cramer Brothers, Brian Dean Moore Band and Rick K 2022 Road Trip will perform on the main stage.

Antique tractors and engines will be on display. The agricultural buildings will be open 2 to 9 p.m. daily.

Food and drink

Come hungry.

“Our famous gyros are back. We are adding a Kentucky hot and original fried chicken sandwich,” said Karena Thek, executive director of the West End Food Pantry.

The food pantry’s stand will also sell fried pickles, fried macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and hamburgers.

“We’re here to make good money to pay our rent and buy food for those in need,” she said.

It will also sell Lucky Duck Raffle tickets. One winner will get $500 in lottery tickets and a runner-up will get $300 in lottery tickets.

The Pleasant Valley PTO funnel cake stand, which is run by volunteers from the four schools’ Parent Teacher Organization, is celebrating its 50th year of service.

“I am looking forward to attending the fair for the first time and of course eating my first funnel cake,” said volunteer Lexix Calderon.

The Western Pocono Women’s Club stand has homemade soups, fresh tossed salad, strawberry shortcake and roast beef sandwiches, said Patricia Mackes, a fair director from Chestnuthill.

Middle Creek Church’s stand is ideal for the livestock exhibitors “because it serves breakfast. Their food is fantastic,” Garrity said.

The beer and wine garden returns to the Everett Building. New this year is nightly entertainment, Weiss said.

100 years!

“Who would have thought this fair would go 100 years?” asked Bill Bond, the livestock superintendent since 2009. “We hope it goes another 100 years.”

The fair began as a one-day event on Sept. 2, 1920, and was called the Monroe County Agricultural Society. It was held at Weir Lake.

The fair was canceled three times: 1942 and 1943 because of World War II and in 2020 because of COVID-19.

“I have been coming since I was a little girl,” Mackes said. “When I was younger, my favorite part was meeting up with friends to ride the rides. Now I come to see people I have not seen in a while and meet new people.”

The fair runs Sunday through Saturday. Gates open at 2 p.m. each day. Admission is $7 for ages 11 and up. It is free for children under 11. For more information: www.thewestendfair.com.