Dear Customers,
Everyone remembers things differently. Some of my childhood memories are vivid still today but when I get to visiting with my sister who’s a year older than me, she doesn’t remember the same events I do nor vice versa. Or she remembers them completely differently than I do! I guess it has to do with what you find impactful. Something that causes one person great joy or great stress might not even show up on the radar of another family member but remains important to you.
One thing we both remember fondly was our visits to the McKean County Fair – yes, they even had it back then! We were only allowed to go once during Fair Week, usually on Family Day. My parents had been raised with few frills and they felt we merited the same upbringing!
My best memory of the fair? Picking up a plastic duck and the child-like anticipation of winning something worth 10¢. My worst memory? Being stuck at the top of the Ferris Wheel as it rocked back and forth, most certainly contributing to my fear of heights!
The days when the McKean County Fair could bring in headliner acts for two well-attended shows on Saturday night are a thing of the past. We had some very famous and popular acts on the stage behind the racetrack in those days; the cast of Gunsmoke, Donny & Marie Osmond, and Little Big Town among others.
Now, just like everything else, the booking costs have risen to the point where those acts are no longer affordable or even available. Our Fair Board does the best they can with what they have. Unfortunately, only the truly big county fairs attract the premium acts these days – and they price them accordingly.
Whether it’s the food, the rides, the visits with old friends or just a stroll through the livestock exhibits, there’s still something for everyone to enjoy at the McKean County Fair – whether you’re young – or old – or anywhere in between!