The Fair is in the air.

No one could be happier than Jessica Ciecwisz, Marketing and Entertainment Manager for the Great Allentown Fair.

Fair organizers tout this year’s 170th anniversary event as “The Great Allentown Fair Lights it Up!”

If you drive past the Allentown Fairgrounds at night, you’ll see the illuminated cupola atop the Grandstand.

It’s a light in the darkness not only for the Allentown Fair, one of the Top 50 fairs in the United States, but for arts and entertainment events across the Lehigh Valley and around the nation.

With the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention streamlining COVID-19 guidances, Ciecwisz and officials of the Allentown Fair and Lehigh County Agricultural Society, which produces the Fair and owns the Allentown Fairgrounds where it’s presented, are eager and ready to welcome back Fair-goers for the 2022 edition, Aug. 31-Sept. 5.

The Allentown Fair was not held in 2020 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown. It is believed to be only the seventh time that the Allentown Fair was not held since its founding in 1852.

The Allentown Fair was not held in 1917 and 1918 during World War I when the Allentown Fairgrounds was converted to Camp Crane, a training facility for the United States Army Ambulance Service. The Fair was not held 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945 during World War II.

While in-person COVID restrictions of the 2021 Fair are gone, a dominoes effect, of sorts, impacted the 2022 Fair Grandstand shows.

“The biggest thing that we’ve seen with the effect of COVID is booking the talent for the Grandstand,” says Ciecwisz.

“Some people had so many rescheduled dates that it still affected this summer.

“There would be offers that we put out and they would just go away based on the artist not wanting to go out or based on the artist going on another tour with different acts.

“They had outstanding commitments for over two years that kept getting rescheduled that affected summer routing this year.

“It affected not having all six days filled,” Ciecwisz says.

The Fairgrounds Grandstand lineup: Dropkick Murphys, Sept. 1; Cole Swindell, Sept. 2; The Wonder Years, Sept. 4; Demolition Derby, Sept. 5.

Ciecwisz is looking to the next two Fairs for Grandstand shows.

“We’re in the process for 2023 and 2024. Before the Fair ends, we’re usually in the process of booking for next year.”

The Allentown Fair began working with Live Nation in 2019 to book the Grandstand. “They’re the ones who come to us with the list and we submit the offer and work together with them,” Ciecwisz says.

The Allentown Fair typically draws 5,000-plus entries for its contests in the Agri-Plex and 650 farm animals for judging under the big tent on the Fairgrounds’ west side.

“Our numbers were different from previous years because of getting a late start because of COVID in 2021,” said Ciecwisz.

“This year, it looks like the numbers and entries are on par to what pre-COVID numbers were.”

A fun part of the Allentown Fair are the Midway rides and attractions.

“In 2021, Powers Great American Midways debuted a full LED ferris-wheel that pretty much was a full light show in itself. It will be back for this year,” says Ciecwisz.

“There was supposed to be a new taxi ride, but it’s still being shipped over from abroad. If it arrives, it will be here. It’s on a boat right now. It was supposed to come in June,” says Ciecwisz, citing supply-chain problems.

The Allentown Fair is being impacted by the 8 percent annual inflation of the past year or so.

“We’re being affected by inflation as anyone. Our vendors set food prices,” Ciecwisz says.

“We have 11 brand-new food concessionaires who will be here this year.

“There are 12 new Fair foods. Daryl G. Urmy [President, Lehigh County Agricultural Society] challenges each concessionaire to come up with something.

“You can go in and try them and vote and we award a winner at the end of the Fair.

“Bissinger’s do their typical apple and peach dumplings. This year, they will be adding a combination peach-raspberry dumpling.”

One of the concessionaires will be a surprise of sorts and also an old favorite.

“The Brass Rail will be on-site this year,” says Ciecwisz.

The Brass Rail closed its Lehigh Street restaurant in June. The Brass Rail has had a stand at the Fair for years.

As with many public gatherings, security is more of a concern that ever, including at the Allentown Fair, which has a new security protocol.

“For this year, what we’ll be implementing is metal detectors at all of our pedestrian gates,” Ciecwisz says.

There will also be metal detectors for those who park their vehicles in the Fairgrounds infield.

There will be two entrance areas, one in the vicinity of the MainGate, and one in the Agri-Plex area, where individuals who park vehicles, must go through.

“The nice thing is, we’re a 46-acre facility that’s easy to implement,” says Ciecwisz.

The metal detectors will be two columns, of from 34-inches to 37-inches-high.

“The wanding and checking of bags will continue at entrances to Grandstand concerts.”

The Allentown Fair policy for items not allowed on the Fairgrounds continues.

“Our policy on prohibited items has not changed. And that can be found on our website under FAQ [Frequently Asked Questions],” says Ciecwisz.

The price of admission to the Allentown Fair includes lots of entertainment for which there are no extra charges. The Grandstand concerts have a separate admission price. There are charges for the Midway rides and games of chance.

Entertainment for which there is no extra charge includes:

The Astound Broadband Farmerama Theater - “The Puppy Pals Comedic Stunt Dog Show,” “Squawk! The Amazing Bird Show.” They competed on NBC-TV’s “America’s Got Talent.”

Machinery Avenue Court - “Robinson’s Pig Paddling Porkers,” the racing pigs

Agri-Land - Cows, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits and more. The Judging Tent is where livestock is judged, and Barnyard Olympics, Hay-Bale Throwing and the Lehigh County 4-H livestock sale take place. At the Lil’ Farm Hands activity tent, there’s the 4-H Barnyard Zoo and Pedal Push Tractor Pull.

Harvest Patio, Agri-Plex Square - The One Wheel Wonder, Magic on the Farm

Agri-Plex - More than 5,000 items are judged and on display. There are demonstrations and interactive contests. The Centennial Stage has contests for children and a Mother-Daughter-Father-Son Look-A-Like Contest. There are Farm to Table chef demonstrations and culinary tips. Local chefs compete in the Iron Chef Competition.

East End - At the MainGate Court, there’s the “Flying Wallenda” family circus-themed show. The MainGate will have concerts by Boondock Barons, The Cherrybombs, Scott Marshall Band, The Joes, DJ Menace and Grup De’ Ahora.

The Allentown Fair seems to have something for everyone.

The Fair concludes Labor Day Sept. 5 with the thunderous annual J&J Demolition Derby.

There’s a prelude to that on the Fairgrounds racetrack.

“Kids bring their Power Wheels and they put balloons on all four sides and who’s left with the most unpopped wins,” says Ciecwisz. Those who want to enter can do so on the website http://www.jandjdemo.com

At the Agri-Plex, the popular Iron Chef Competition has been expanded.

“This year, there’s a three-day Iron Chef Competition. The preliminaries start on Friday and the finals are on Sunday.”

There’s a new contest in the Agri-Plex.

“A new thing is that on Friday we’re having our first bid-calling competition. Licensed auctioneers compete at 7 p.m. Sept. 2.

“It’s a real live auction of items that people can purchase. We’re looking for people to be audience members to bid,’’ says Ciecwisz.

“One thing that we brought back is ‘The Grape Stomp.’ It’s at 3:15 p.m. Sept. 3 on the Centennial Stage. And the mayor [Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk] is competing on the Movers and Shakers Team. I know he’s a runner, so I’m expecting him to be pretty good.”

Indeed, Jessica Ciecwisz and Fair officials are hoping for a good run for the 2022 Great Allentown Fair.

Information: https://www.allentownfair.com