The 2022 Great Allentown Fair returns, back in full swing after the 2021 edition that still faced pandemic concerns and 2020 when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown halted the annual event.

And when you say annual, give or take a few years for a pandemic here and there, as well as a world war or two, the 2022 Fair is celebrating 170 years, according to its organizers. The Fair dates to 1852.

The 2022 Great Allentown Fair runs Aug. 31 through Labor Day Sept. 5 on the Allentown Fairgrounds, a 46-acre tract between 17th and 21st streets and Liberty and Chew streets, Allentown.

Hours of the Fair are 4 - 10 p.m. Aug. 31; noon - 10 p.m. Sept. 1 - 4, and noon - 9 p.m. Sept. 5.

The 2022 Fair Queen Contest and Coronation, sponsored by Signal, will be held at Astound Broadband Farmerama Theater, Opening Night, Aug. 31. Five contestants will vie for the title of Great Allentown Fair Queen and the $1,500 scholarship presented by the Pomona Grange and the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market.

Admission to the Fair is $8. Those 12 and under are admitted free.

There are admission discounts.

On opening night, Aug. 31, admission is $4. Or it’s “2 bucks and a can” if you bring a food item donation to the Fair for Second Harvest Food Bank.

In “Weekdays Under the Wire,” everyone is admitted free noon - 2 p.m. Sept. 1 and 2.

With “Red, White and Thank You,” active military and veterans, with ID, are admitted free all day Sept. 1.

Senior citizens, age 65 and over, with ID, are admitted free all day Sept. 5.

Purchasing $4 advance admission tickets at the Fair Box Office and online saves 50 percent with no fees added. The advance discount ticket is good whenever admission is charged and is on sale through Aug. 31.

Fairgoers may obtain all-day ride wristbands at $20 by purchasing them in advance through Aug. 30. The wristbands sell for $25 on-site at the Fair. Individual ride tickets are also available at the Fair.

“Powers Great American Midways” rides open at 4 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 and 2 p.m. Sept. 2, and 1 p.m. Sept. 3, 4 and 5.

Admission to the Fair includes a lineup of free entertainment.

Rides and games on the “Powers Great American Midways” and tickets to Fairgrounds Grandstand shows are not included in the admission price to the Fair.

Vehicle parking is available in the Allentown Fairgrounds infield. Entrance is through Tunnel Gate 7 off of Liberty Street. The cost is $10 per vehicle during the Allentown Fair. Prepaid premium parking is available in advance at $30 per vehicle.

Off-site parking is available on in the vicinity of the Fairgrounds on lots run by individual businesses and are not associated with the Fair.

The Great Allentown Fair is run by the nonprofit Lehigh County Agricultural Society, which owns the Fairgrounds.

According to its website, “the Fair is dedicated to supporting the achievements of farmers, gardeners and homemakers.

“The Fair enables children to learn where their food comes from while spending an exciting day riding rides, playing games and seeing shows.

“The young and young at heart will find tantalizing international cuisine, musical concerts, thrill shows, and the latest in gizmos and gadgets.”

The Allentown Fairgrounds is home to the Lehigh Valley’s largest trade show facility, Agri-Plex; Fairgrounds Farmers Market; Ritz Barbecue restaurant; Fairgrounds Hotel restaurant; MainGate Nightclub, and the Pines Dinner Theatre.

Information: https://www.allentownfair.com