Twenty-five people represented the West End Fair at the annual Pennsylvania Fairs and Showmen Convention held on Jan. 22 through 25 at the Hershey Lodge.

“Our group included fair directors, committee members, our Fair Queen, kids and spouses,” said Julie Weiss, assistant secretary of the West End Fair Association and a Chestnuthill director.

A group from the West End Fair has been attending the convention for at least 40 of the 112 years the convention has occurred.

Members of Weiss’ family have been attending “as long as I can remember. I have been going since about 10 years ago when I became a director. The fair is in our genes,” Julie Weiss said.

Her late father, Roger Christman, was a director. Her younger sister, Jennifer Rufo, is a director and part of the Pleasant Valley PTO Funnel Cake committee. Rufo’s children volunteer at the Farmer for a Day, helping children fill their baskets with plastic fruits and vegetables, and milk a pretend cow.

Daily activities

“There were workshops each day. They were about two hours long, and we had Round Table discussions so we could learn from each other,” Weiss said.

Topics included entertainment, safety and security, strategic planning and changes in the fair industry.

Weiss and six others from the West End group went to judging school.

“We got to judge different things — baked goods, group exhibits and fine arts. We did mock judging,” said Weiss. “I handle entries at our fair, so it was good to see the process those who do the judging go through to determine the first, second, third and best of show recipients.”

On Wednesday evening, there was an entertainment showcase. Different acts took the stage every 15 minutes. While one act performed on one side of the stage, another act set up on the other side of the stage.

“We saw comedy acts, magic shows and bands,” Weiss said. “A lot of them are from eastern Pennsylvania.”

Jeremy Parsons, CEO of the Iowa State Fair since March 2023, was the keynote speaker on Thursday morning. He spoke about growing up at his county fair, which his father was a director of and everyone who ran it was a volunteer. Now, he, his wife and three sons spend much of their time on the grounds of the Iowa State Fair.

There was a trade show, held in the ballroom, that featured an array of things to book for one’s fair, including security personnel, bands, entertainers and vendors.

“It’s a really great way to see things new things,” said Weiss.

The Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs had their banquet on Thursday evening. The Pennsylvania State Showmen’s Association had their banquet on Friday evening.

“These banquets are a great way to learn what other fairs do, so we can make improvements to our fair,” said Weiss. “It’s also a way to celebrate after a year of planning.”

Fair Queens

This year’s convention had more Fair Queens in attendance than ever before — 61 queens representing fairs all over Pennsylvania.

In August 2024, Giavanna “Gigi” Ukaj was crowned Queen of the West End Fair. She was crowned the Fair Princess the year before. She and her mom attended their first convention in January. Weiss said Ukaj did very well.

“She arrived nervous and very excited. She made new friends, practiced interviewing skills and gained life skills,” said Weiss.

Ukaj and her mother enjoyed their time at the Hershey Lodge.

“Her activities comprised a personal interview, pizza party with 61 contestants, a judge’s reception, speech presentation and manning the communications table at the trade show,” said Krista Wawryznski, coordinator of the West End Fair Queen program.

The 61 contestants were evaluated by three judges on their written and speaking skills, knowledge of the fair and agricultural industries, and their poise and personal presentation.

During Saturday’s Queens Banquet, Ukaj “nailed her speech and proudly represented her fair,” said Wawryznski.

The Queen banquet included dinner, the crowning of the new State Fair Queen and alternate, and an auction to raise funds for the Fair Queen program.

Ava Immel, West Lampeter Community Fair Queen in Lancaster County, was crowned the 2025 Pennsylvania Fair Queen. Brooke Beamesderfer, Lebanon Area Fair Queen, was selected as 2025 Alternate.

Wawryznski participated in various events during the four-day convention, including seminars and the Fair Queen banquet.

“I attended two seminars for Fair Queen coordinators and a roundtable discussion on three topics, which was informative and helpful for the Fair Queen program’s growth,” said Wawryznski. “We aim to continue empowering these girls to advocate for agriculture and tourism, and raise concerns with legislators to ensure funding.”

Her key take-away from the event was that the program is expanding statewide. Four fairs are interested in starting a Fair Queen program. Two fairs previously had a program, but struggled with funding. The other two fairs are new to the program.

Awards

The West End Fair placed in two competitions.

“We entered our brochure, a picture of our billboard and the Times News’ West End Fair insert, which has articles, photos and event listings. Our billboard got third place and the insert got second place,” said Weiss.

The West End Fair participants were excited by their two awards, and walked away from the convention with ideas about how to improve the fair’s marketing.

West End Fair 2025

This year’s theme for all Pennsylvania fairs is “Cultivating the future generation.”

The fairgrounds in Gilbert will reopen Aug. 17 to 23 with a week of agricultural displays, arts and crafts exhibits, food, music and dancers on the midway stages, games, rides, activities for all ages, the Fair Queen coronation and entertainment in the arena.

“Our fair prides itself in the nonprofits we support — fire departments, school organizations, churches, Scouts, and dance groups,” said Weiss. “Our grove is unique with its many trees and shaded areas.”

Sensory Day, where the fair opens early to accommodate a smaller crowd of attendees, is moving from Tuesday to Monday. Activities are low-key, lighting is minimal and there’s no loud music so that attendees with sensory issues or those who get overstimulated easily can enjoy the fair.

“Pleasant Valley families have to divide their time between the fair and finding their kids’ classroom when it was Tuesday. They have to rush around, so we changed the day,” said Weiss.

The weeklong free show by the arena is Agri-Golf. There will be three shows each day that teach kids about agriculture. Kids visiting this area can play free mini golf.

“At the convention, we get to see great entertainers and book acts to bring to our fair,” said Weiss. “It’s also a chance to relax and talk with each other. We don’t get to do that fair week, when we’re constantly busy.”

For more information about this year’s fair: www.thewestendfair.com.