The York Fair is a must do bucket list item for the York, Pa area people, whether you are a citizen or just a passerby. I mean, who doesn't love fairs? They're full of animals, games, and most importantly,
AMAZING food. Is this really how it's always been though? Let's take a look at the history of the fair vs the modern day personal experience. Then we'll be able to depict: Has tradition actually gone wrong?
The York Fair was established by charter in 1765. The charter was given by William Penn's son, Thomas Penn. (William Penn founded Pennsylvania). This happened 11 years before the forming of our nation! The people of York wanted a way to express their flourishing town, and this fair was it. Back in those days though, the fair only lasted two days and it was as an agricultural market for the people. It was also originally held where Penn Park is. As you can imagine, an agricultural market brought people and income to Pennsylvania for these two days every year. When 1853 rolled around, the York County Agricultural Society was found and they made it their point to improve the fair. They decided to make it a three day event and move it to a place with more land. This is what is now the area around Queen Street and King Street. Between 1861 and 1865, the fairgrounds was was of wounded soldiers due to the hospitals out there becoming permanent. The fair was closed until 1865.
In 1888, the Agricultural Society decided that the fair needed more land again and therefore purchased what is the common day fairgrounds. This is a basic history of the fair. As the fair moved forward in history, it accommodated to the taste of entertainment of the people. So animal racing, musical appearances, etc. It also brought upon the building of the Grandstand and weatherproofed buildings. For further information on the later years you can visit http://yorkfair.org/about/our-history/.
Now that you have a basic understanding of what the fair was founded under, we can relate back to modern day with the personal experience. This past month, I had the experience of working at the York fair for my dad's food business. I realized while there, that the fair consisted of four main things: diverse foods, games, animals, and random things to do. Also, the people there varied. The fair didn't follow the stereotypical "York County Hick" vibe. Especially since the vendors were all from different parts of the country. Customers tended to be polite and patient. Something you don't see much of anymore. Definitely portraying American values established way back in history. Food seemed to be the biggest focus of the fair. Mostly, you could find lemonade, funnel cake, and fried Oreos. Other than this, there was a variety of gourmet foods.
Historically, the fair was more agricultural. Now though, we find all different foods, especially fried ones. The games seem to cost a fortune, as do the activities. It's surprising people can even afford a day there. In the last, these things would have been free or close to nothing. The animals though, are a constant since entertainment entered the fair. They are the most traditional thing still standing. When we ask ourselves if tradition has gone wrong, we can attest for this with the animals and food. Both have always been a large part of the fair. Anything else though? Probably not. Just walking through those fairgrounds you don't feel the traditional vibe or realize the fact that you're surrounded by history. I doubt any of you reading this blog here today even knew the fair was founded in 1765. So you decided of the reality, tradition, or tradition gone wrong?
AMAZING food. Is this really how it's always been though? Let's take a look at the history of the fair vs the modern day personal experience. Then we'll be able to depict: Has tradition actually gone wrong?
The York Fair was established by charter in 1765. The charter was given by William Penn's son, Thomas Penn. (William Penn founded Pennsylvania). This happened 11 years before the forming of our nation! The people of York wanted a way to express their flourishing town, and this fair was it. Back in those days though, the fair only lasted two days and it was as an agricultural market for the people. It was also originally held where Penn Park is. As you can imagine, an agricultural market brought people and income to Pennsylvania for these two days every year. When 1853 rolled around, the York County Agricultural Society was found and they made it their point to improve the fair. They decided to make it a three day event and move it to a place with more land. This is what is now the area around Queen Street and King Street. Between 1861 and 1865, the fairgrounds was was of wounded soldiers due to the hospitals out there becoming permanent. The fair was closed until 1865.
In 1888, the Agricultural Society decided that the fair needed more land again and therefore purchased what is the common day fairgrounds. This is a basic history of the fair. As the fair moved forward in history, it accommodated to the taste of entertainment of the people. So animal racing, musical appearances, etc. It also brought upon the building of the Grandstand and weatherproofed buildings. For further information on the later years you can visit http://yorkfair.org/about/our-history/.
Now that you have a basic understanding of what the fair was founded under, we can relate back to modern day with the personal experience. This past month, I had the experience of working at the York fair for my dad's food business. I realized while there, that the fair consisted of four main things: diverse foods, games, animals, and random things to do. Also, the people there varied. The fair didn't follow the stereotypical "York County Hick" vibe. Especially since the vendors were all from different parts of the country. Customers tended to be polite and patient. Something you don't see much of anymore. Definitely portraying American values established way back in history. Food seemed to be the biggest focus of the fair. Mostly, you could find lemonade, funnel cake, and fried Oreos. Other than this, there was a variety of gourmet foods.
Historically, the fair was more agricultural. Now though, we find all different foods, especially fried ones. The games seem to cost a fortune, as do the activities. It's surprising people can even afford a day there. In the last, these things would have been free or close to nothing. The animals though, are a constant since entertainment entered the fair. They are the most traditional thing still standing. When we ask ourselves if tradition has gone wrong, we can attest for this with the animals and food. Both have always been a large part of the fair. Anything else though? Probably not. Just walking through those fairgrounds you don't feel the traditional vibe or realize the fact that you're surrounded by history. I doubt any of you reading this blog here today even knew the fair was founded in 1765. So you decided of the reality, tradition, or tradition gone wrong?