In honor of the 100th anniversary of Camp Crane, The Great Allentown Fair’s Executive Committee has decreed Aug. 31 the fair’s first “Red, White and Thank you” military day honoring active military and veterans with free, all-day admission.

Fair Marketing Director Bonnie Brosious said an informative and educational display of photos and artifacts that tell the story of Camp Crane will be on display in the Agri-Plex for fairgoers to visit during the fair Aug. 29-Sept. 4.

“Plans are set for a special attraction on Thursday and Friday at the fair,” she said. “The Ambulance 255 Project and its originators from New England - George King and Jeffrey Klinger - will be at the fair Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 with the 1916 model T Ford they meticulously restored to authentically replicate the ambulances in service during World War I.”

The Lehigh County Agricultural Society recently commemorated Camp Crane’s 100th anniversary during a presentation at the fairgrounds.

President of the agricultural society Bev Gruber told the audience 100 years ago a lease was signed with the United States government turning the fairgrounds into Camp Crane.

“The fairgrounds were converted into a major mobilization and training camp for recruits in the U.S. Army Ambulance Service,” Gruber stated. “We honor the valor and bravery of all those who passed though these gates 100 years ago.

“We extend our appreciation for those who have served and still actively serve our country.”

Brosious shared a historical retrospect on the origin of Camp Crane, its existence on the fairgrounds from 1917-19 and its impact on the community.

In 1917, the U.S. Army recruitment office in Philadelphia looked northwest to the Allentown Fairgrounds for Camp Crane.

“Now, what attracted the military to the Allentown Fairgrounds was fascinatingly described by the U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History as ‘The 1917 Fairgrounds had “stables and sheds that had been used for fancy stock” that were augmented by tarps for sheltering recruits,’” Brosious said. “So on May 24, 1917 a lease was signed with the Lehigh County Agricultural Society to turn over the fairgrounds to the U.S. Army for a sum of $37,000 a year.”

Camp Crane was America’s response to France’s request for ambulance service, medics, drivers and mechanics, Brosious stated.

“The base on the fairgrounds took its name in honor of Charles H. Crane, a Harvard and Yale educated doctor who dedicated himself to the Army. He performed medical functions rising in the ranks of brigadier general before being appointed Surgeon-General in 1882.”

Brosious said it was thought 1,200 troops would be on the grounds at any given time.

“It turned out that the camp had between 4,000 and 5,000 personnel stationed at the camp at all times,” she noted. “The last of the USAACs (an acronym that replaced the word “Service” with “Corps” in U.S. Army Ambulance Service) left Allentown Fairgrounds April 10, 1919, the official date Camp Crane closed,” she said. “During its existence 2,085 officers and 18,310 enlisted men trained at Camp Crane to enter service in France and Italy.”

The Great Allentown Fair is hoping community members’ attics, basements or even home display units may have some relics of World War I that could add to its exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of when the landmark Fairgrounds’ in the west end of the city was converted into a World War I ambulance training and mobilization facility.

Gruber is asking the community to loan the fair artifacts relevant to the “Great War” or Camp Crane that have been handed down through generations and could be showcased during fair week.

Uniforms, medals, armaments, postcards - any items that could add to the display will be considered.

These artifacts will be carefully handled and displayed.

Gruber will discuss arrangements for submission and return of all items with those willing to participate.

If interested, contact Gruber before Aug. 26 at 610-393-0294 or email b.gruber@rcn.com.