Published August 22. 2022 02:45PM
The West End Fair opened for its 100th time Sunday, with a parade and other celebrations.
Brianna Shupp was named fair queen, with 18-year-old Sophia Alcamo as the princess.
The fair, originally named the Monroe County Agricultural Society, was first held at Weir Lake on Thursday, Sept. 2, 1920.
Eldred, Chestnuthill, Polk, Hamilton, Ross, Jackson and Tunkhannock were the seven townships involved in organizing the fair.
Tunkhannock broke away in 1925. Today there are six directors from each of the townships.
The fair, in Gilbert, is offering free attractions all week, such as opening night fireworks, agricultural exhibits, and antique tractors and engines.
Throughout the week, with the help of Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, the fair is offering demonstrations of quilting, quilling, canning, sheep shearing and other agricultural endeavors.
Admission is $7 for 11 years and older, and free to 10 and under. A free carousel ride is offered to those with a paid ticket.
On the schedule today:
• 3 and 4:30 p.m. Dean Hahn & the Hawks, main stage
• 5-9 p.m. West End Fair Dirt-a-Rama, arena
• 5:30-6 p.m., Pleasant Valley Band in the Bandshell
• 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Whey Jennings, main stage.
The 2022 Fair Queen, left, is Brianna Shupp and fair princess is Sophia Alcamo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
(From left) Jerry Nieroda, Jace Young Carter Knight and Matthew Palmieri pose with the Old Homestead hay bale guy Sunday during the West End Fair's opening day. STACI L. GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
The Super Slide is among the rides at the 100th anniversary of the West End Fair in Gilbert, which opened Sunday and runs until Saturday. STACI L. GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Abigail Smith, 13, with Mac from Jackson View Farm in Jackson Township. She has nine cows, sheep and rabbits competing in this year's fair. STACI L. GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Trevor and Katie Stout with their children Trevor Jr. and Abbigail stand with the hay bale cake during Sunday's opening day of the fair. The family enjoyed the putt putt tractors and cows during their day at the fair. STACI L. GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Tractors join in the 100th anniversary parade. NANCY PARKS/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Shriners in the 100th anniversary parade at the West End Fair. NANCY PARKS/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Lehigh Valley Zoo's mascots greet the West End Fair crowd. STACI L. GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS