The 101st West End Fair began Sunday at the fairgrounds with a stream of people continuously arriving once the gates unofficially opened at 1 p.m.

Food vendors had an early rush of orders by around 2 p.m.

On the main stage, Brian Costenbader, secretary of the West End Fair Association, welcomed everyone shortly after 3 p.m. during its opening ceremony.

American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert presented the colors; Hannah Fox, Pennsylvania Teen Volunteer, sang the National Anthem.

“We want to pass this fair down to the younger generations - like the ladies sitting here behind me,” Costenbader said, referring to the 2023 contestants of the West End Fair Queen Program.

This year’s theme is “PA county fairs: Growing the future.”

“It is a glimpse into the future of growing various things - animals, crops and technology,” he said. “Our fair is constantly trying to update and grow the fair and scope of our projects.”

Assistant secretary Julie Weiss spoke of the many updates that occurred since last August around the fairgrounds. The male and female bathrooms have more room and are more efficient, and both buildings have new siding.

There are new benches throughout the fairgrounds; the carpet on the main stage has been replaced; their office above the stage has a new photo copier and other equipment; and the main exhibit building floor has been sealed.

“All these changes were done to improve the safety and appearance of our fairgrounds,” Weiss said.

Costenbader announced the other 2023 officers: President Dale “Peanut” Greenzweig Jr.; Vice President Glenn Hinton; treasurer Carole Costenbader; and Assistant Treasurer Shayne Borger.

Brianna Shupp, the 2022 West End Fair Queen, spoke before the new queen was announced.

“The friendships and memories I made will remain with me. It’s not just a title, but a responsibility,” she said. “To the new queen and princess, you’re about to embark on a journey and be the face of your community and this fair for a year.”

Shupp shared her favorite moment was competing with 58 other young women to be named the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen in Hershey last spring. She didn’t win, but was thankful for the experience.

Krista Wawrzynski, lead coordinator of the West End Fair Queen Program, presented Shupp with $1,000 toward her higher education. Shupp aspires to be an anesthesiologist.

Wawrzynski then announced this year’s queen and princess.

Sophia Alcamo, who served as the 2022 princess, was named the 2023 West End Fair Queen and Giavanna Ukaj is the 2023 West End Fair Princess.

“It’s so exciting and I’m honored to do this a second year. I am going to make my queen duties work with my college schedule,” said Alcamo.

This week, she begins her sophomore year at Delaware Valley University, where she is in the animal sciences pre-professional program for four years and then goes another four years to veterinary school.

Ukaj, a 16-year-old Bethlehem Catholic student, loves to garden at home and has been in many pageants. She attended the fair a lot as a child and is excited to be this year’s princess.

Plenty to do

Outside the crowning, there was lots going on.

Pleasant Valley student Kensington Frable, who runs Sweet Pea Craft Adventures, and her mom, Rachel Frable, who runs Wicked Beaver Wood Services, have side-by-side booths for their second year at the fair selling their hand-crafted items and hand-carved signs, respectively.

“I’ve been looking around the fair at many things. I shared some funnel cake and French fries with my mom,” said 7-year-old Braxx Keiper as he looked at bracelets, magnets and keychains Kensington was selling.

There are five beer and wine vendors inside the West End Fair Pub, and those 21 and older receive a wrist band. The pub is on one side of the Everett Building, and various retail vendors are on the other side.

The pub will be open each day from 2 to 10 p.m.

“There will be cornhole games, a fire pit and lots of fun each day,” said Beth DeHaven, manager of the WEF Pub. “There will be live music each day 5:30-9:30.”

The five vendors are Barley Creek, Pocono Brewing Company, Mountain View Vineyards, Cardinal Hollow Winery and Shawnee Craft. In addition to alcoholic beverages, there are non-alcoholic slushies.

Fair director Jennifer Rufo gave an overview of each day’s entertainment highlights.

“There are free rides from 2 to 6 p.m. on Monday; the Junk Car Race begins at 7 p.m. in the arena; the Cramer Brothers Band performs at 7:15 and 8:30 at the main stage.

Tuesday’s highlight is the sensory-friendly events occurring from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday. Fair attendees can receive a $1.00 discount if they bring a gently used coat to donate on Tuesday, she said.

Wednesday, there will be a senior citizens program at 5 p.m., including games and prizes. There is a demolition derby at 7 p.m. and Steel Creek will also perform at 7 p.m. at the main stage.

There will be free games for kids at 3 p.m. near the livestock area on Thursday, she said. At 7 and 8:30 p.m., Don’t Back Down – the Tom Petty Tribute Band – will perform at the main stage.

Rufo said she’s excited for Friday’s musical entertainment, which is the Uptown Band. They perform at 7 and 8:30 on the main stage.

The fair will close Saturday but not before an array of activities, which include the first-time 4-H auction at 10 a.m., a wood carving auction at 5 p.m., Bullride Mania Rodeo in the main arena at 6:30, and performances by Brian Dean Moore Band at 7 and 8:30 on the main stage.