York State Fair

York State Fair Founded in 1765 The York State Fair "America's First Fair ® is a 10 day fun filled event for everyone.

We hope to see you at the 2024 York State Fair running from July 19th - July 28th!

Come join us for Ag & Farm Night at the York Revolution on Friday, September 6!Tickets can be purchased at Yorkrevolutio...
09/04/2024

Come join us for Ag & Farm Night at the York Revolution on Friday, September 6!

Tickets can be purchased at Yorkrevolution.com/agnight with 50% of proceeds going to the Ag Education Fund here at the society!

Come join us for Ag & Farm Night at the York Revolution on Friday, September 6!
Tickets can be purchased at- Yorkrevolution.com/agnight with 50% of proceeds going to the Ag Education Fund here at the society!

NEWS!!!Our longtime Fair sister Sandra Lee, has a new show on Netflix called the "BLUE RIBBON BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP".  San...
08/29/2024

NEWS!!!

Our longtime Fair sister Sandra Lee, has a new show on Netflix called the "BLUE RIBBON BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP". Sandra brought to life a 12-year labor of love for all of us to enjoy. So, take a trip to the latest fair on Netflix now. We hope you'll watch it and lend your thoughts right back here for future seasons. We Look forward to hearing back from you, and maybe next year you could even qualify!

08/09/2024

For over 100 years, State Fairs across the United States have been the stage for showcasing the talents of the most extraordinary bakers. Now, for the first time ever, Blue Ribbon winning bakers from state fairs nationwide will compete head-to-head in the new show from culinary icon Sandra Lee, a blue ribbon winner herself, titled The Blue Ribbon Baking Championship!

Watch Season 1 on Netflix starting TODAY and who knows…maybe you'll be inspired to apply for Season 2!

The Wyndham Garden Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2024 York State Fair!The Wyndham Garden is the York State Fairs choice hote...
07/28/2024

The Wyndham Garden Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2024 York State Fair!

The Wyndham Garden is the York State Fairs choice hotel throughout the year. They reside 1 mile down the road and have a variety of amenities.

Sundance Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2024 York State Fair!Sundance Vacations offers affordable vacations to destinations a...
07/28/2024

Sundance Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2024 York State Fair!

Sundance Vacations offers affordable vacations to destinations around the world. Enrich your life through travel!

DON'T MISS OUT ON THE FAIR FOOD!!!Make sure to stop by the York State Fair today for your last chance and some amazing f...
07/28/2024

DON'T MISS OUT ON THE FAIR FOOD!!!

Make sure to stop by the York State Fair today for your last chance and some amazing fair food! We have over 90 options!

WE'RE OPEN FOR DAY 10!Today is the last day of the 2024 York State Fair! Don't miss out on your opportunity to experienc...
07/28/2024

WE'RE OPEN FOR DAY 10!

Today is the last day of the 2024 York State Fair! Don't miss out on your opportunity to experience all the fun!

CHECK OUT TODAY'S DAILY SCHEDULE!!!There are tons of free things to see and do during the fair so make sure to stop buy ...
07/28/2024

CHECK OUT TODAY'S DAILY SCHEDULE!!!

There are tons of free things to see and do during the fair so make sure to stop buy and check out everything the York State Fair has to offer!

Boot Barn Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2024 York State Fair!Boot Barn is dedicated to supporting the local community and We...
07/28/2024

Boot Barn Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2024 York State Fair!

Boot Barn is dedicated to supporting the local community and Western lifestyle. Boot Barn – Keep West

Horizon Farm Credit is a proud sponsor 2024 York State Fair!If you're ready to take the next step with a farm, land, or ...
07/27/2024

Horizon Farm Credit is a proud sponsor 2024 York State Fair!

If you're ready to take the next step with a farm, land, or home loan, Farm Credit is here to help. Visit HorizonFC.com for more information today.

Orrstown Bank is a proud sponsor of the 2024 York State Fair!Orrstown Bank is coming to York, and they couldn't be more ...
07/27/2024

Orrstown Bank is a proud sponsor of the 2024 York State Fair!

Orrstown Bank is coming to York, and they couldn't be more excited to serve their new community!

WE'RE OPEN FOR DAY 9!!!Come enjoy the last weekend of the 2024 York State Fair! We hope to see everyone out!
07/27/2024

WE'RE OPEN FOR DAY 9!!!

Come enjoy the last weekend of the 2024 York State Fair! We hope to see everyone out!

Keel-Mar is a proud sponsor of the 2024 York State Fair!Whether you are a homeowner or a contractor, let us help you wit...
07/27/2024

Keel-Mar is a proud sponsor of the 2024 York State Fair!

Whether you are a homeowner or a contractor, let us help you with your next outdoor project. Choose Keel-Mar Materials!

Congratulations to all of our 4-H and FFA swine exhibitors who competed in the Youth Market Swine show yesterday!The Jun...
07/27/2024

Congratulations to all of our 4-H and FFA swine exhibitors who competed in the Youth Market Swine show yesterday!

The Junior Livestock Sale is currently taking place in UPMC Arena!

Our 4-H and FFA dairy beef exhibitors competed in the Youth Dairy Beef Show on Wednesday. Come out and support our youth...
07/26/2024

Our 4-H and FFA dairy beef exhibitors competed in the Youth Dairy Beef Show on Wednesday.

Come out and support our youth at the Junior Livestock sale tonight in UPMC Arena!

STOP BY CANDYLAND WAREHOUSE!Located in Memorial Hall East, Candyland Warehouse holds every type of chocalate and candy y...
07/26/2024

STOP BY CANDYLAND WAREHOUSE!

Located in Memorial Hall East, Candyland Warehouse holds every type of chocalate and candy you can image. Wonder through a candy maze and fill a bag with some yummy goodness!

MEET PEEWEE!!!We've got another calf that's been born in the Rutter's Birthing Center! Stop by and see the little fella!
07/26/2024

MEET PEEWEE!!!

We've got another calf that's been born in the Rutter's Birthing Center! Stop by and see the little fella!

Rockelman's Nursery, Heritage Tree Farm & Landscaping!For 60 years, Rockelman's has been the place to go for high qualit...
07/26/2024

Rockelman's Nursery, Heritage Tree Farm & Landscaping!

For 60 years, Rockelman's has been the place to go for high quality landscaping and landscape plants. In addition to our York location, our second retail garden center and greenhouse is located on our tree farm at 5134 Bentz Road Spring Grove, PA 17362.

🚨KNOW BEFORE YOU GO🚨Ludacris w/ DJ Infamous will be on the Bobcat of York Grandstand Stage tonight! Check out this info ...
07/26/2024

🚨KNOW BEFORE YOU GO🚨
Ludacris w/ DJ Infamous will be on the Bobcat of York Grandstand Stage tonight! Check out this info for tonight's show starting at 8pm!

⏰ Get here early! Come enjoy the Fair before the concert as your ticket includes gate admission!

🎟 Have your tickets ready! Print off or have your QR code saved and ready to be scanned on your phone!

🍟 No outside food or drinks will be in allowed inside the concert area. There is concessions available inside venue.

🍺 Bars are Cash Only!

Make sure to check out our website for more information at www.yorkstatefair.com. See less

Can-Am Is A Proud Sponsor of the 2024 York State Fair!Built extra tough to take you beyond the daily grind, the canam de...
07/26/2024

Can-Am Is A Proud Sponsor of the 2024 York State Fair!

Built extra tough to take you beyond the daily grind, the canam defender is the most capable side-by-side for work!

WE'RE OPEN FOR DAY 8!Come out and enjoy the 2024 York State Fair! There is alot going on this weekend so don't miss out ...
07/26/2024

WE'RE OPEN FOR DAY 8!

Come out and enjoy the 2024 York State Fair! There is alot going on this weekend so don't miss out on all the fun festivities!

TODAY IS PRESCHOOL PALS DAY!Today includes free admission from 11am to 3pm for one adult with a Pre-Schooler. Ride the S...
07/26/2024

TODAY IS PRESCHOOL PALS DAY!

Today includes free admission from 11am to 3pm for one adult with a Pre-Schooler. Ride the Strates Shows Kiddie Kingdom rides for $15.

Here's the official York State Fair Forecast from our friends at ABC 27!Looks to be a great start to our second weekend!...
07/26/2024

Here's the official York State Fair Forecast from our friends at ABC 27!

Looks to be a great start to our second weekend! We have plenty to do, so make sure to stop by for a visit! Gates open at 11am today!

Make sure to stay hydrated and take advantage of our many ways to stay cool! We also have a full service EMS station on site if anyone is in need of service!

FedEx Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2024 York State Fair!Select your location to find services for shipping your package, pa...
07/26/2024

FedEx Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2024 York State Fair!

Select your location to find services for shipping your package, package tracking, shipping rates, and tools to support shippers.

Saubel's Market Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2024 York State Fair!Saubel's Market provides one of our three presale locatio...
07/25/2024

Saubel's Market Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2024 York State Fair!

Saubel's Market provides one of our three presale location along with sponsor our cheese carver!

Congratulations to our 4-H and FFA Exhibitors who participated in the Junior Beef Show yesterday! You can still find the...
07/25/2024

Congratulations to our 4-H and FFA Exhibitors who participated in the Junior Beef Show yesterday! You can still find the beef cattle in the UPMC Arena.

MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR 2024 YORK STATE FAIR CONCERT SERIES CUP!This cup features artists performing at the 2024 York Stat...
07/25/2024

MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR 2024 YORK STATE FAIR CONCERT SERIES CUP!

This cup features artists performing at the 2024 York State Fair! It is available at all bars throughout the grounds as well as the souvenir stand.

As well as when purchased your first drink is half price! Take advantage of this awesome deal!

UPMC Is A Proud Sponsor of the 2024 York State FairThey pride themselves on bringing advanced medicine close to home so ...
07/25/2024

UPMC Is A Proud Sponsor of the 2024 York State Fair

They pride themselves on bringing advanced medicine close to home so those around have access to what they need.

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334 Carlisle Avenue
York, PA
17404

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Our Story

The traditions of fairs in the New World began with the York Fair, America’s first fair, held in the historic old Town of York in 1765, eleven years before the nation was founded. A charter to hold that fair was granted to the people of York by Thomas Penn, son of William Penn in recognition of “the flourishing state to which the town hath arrived through their industry.” Those early gatherings were reported to have been “the liveliest days of the whole year.” At that time, the York Fair existed as a two-day agricultural market on the town commons, now known as Penn Park. Records don’t tell us too much about the York Fair during the American Revolution or the War of 1812, but we know the troops passing through York camped in the commons, so they would have shared the grounds with the Fair. In 1853 a group of prominent York County agricultural leaders formed the York County Agricultural Society for the purpose of making the fair a three-day event and finding it a new home. That society purchased seven acres and established a new fairground in 1856. The new location was on what was then the east side of the City of York near what is now Queen Street and King Street. In 1861, within days of the firing on Fort Sumter, injured Union soldiers were placed in temporary hospitals set up in the old Penn Commons and in the new fairgrounds. In 1862 the Secretary of War made those hospitals permanent so by fair time that year, the halls and grounds were filled with wounded from Antietam and the fair was closed until 1865. Following the Civil War, the York County Agricultural Society, in 1888, decided the fair had once again outgrown its grounds and these early fair leaders purchased land and moved the event to the 73-acre site that was eventually expanded to become the current York Fair/York Expo Center property. The fair remained open after the outbreak of World War I, but was not held in 1918 due to an influenza outbreak that killed 166 people in York. Over the decades the Fair has changed in many ways in order to keep attracting people. As tastes in entertainment evolved, the fair added horse races, dancers, strong man competitions and all kinds of new things to look at and enjoy. In 1926 a new Grandstand was constructed and the fair it became a five-day event, opening on Tuesdays and closing on Saturdays. The daytime nature of the fair passed into history two years later in 1928 when the York Fair stayed open in the evenings on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Tuesday night was added in 1931 and a year later the fair remained open on Saturday evenings. During the ‘30s the midways became lines with so-called “freak shows” and automobile racing became popular on the track. During World War II most fairs and the Pennsylvania Farm Show closed, but the York Fair, whose president at that time was Samuel Lewis, stayed open, causing plenty of controversy. In 1942 the fair dates were changed so that the event moved from October to September where it is celebrated to this day. The Fair constructed its first all-weather year-round exhibition building, Memorial Hall, in the 1950s and began renting that facility to outside promoters for non-fair events throughout the year. The York Fair remained open throughout the long war in Vietnam and in 1975 it was expanded to become a nine-day event including two Saturdays and a Sunday. Older fair buildings including Horticulture Hall, Old Main and the Banquet Center that includes the Pennsylvania Room and White Rose Room were rehabilitated, weatherized and air conditioned and then rented year round just like Memorial Hall. Memorial Hall was then expanded, more than doubled, in 1995 with the addition of a second clear-span exhibit room and a spacious lobby, rest rooms and ticket offices. Then in 1997 the fair itself expanded to become a ten-day fair that includes two full weekends. The York Fair was underway during the tragic events of September 11 th, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon. The fair remained open in the days following the terrorist attack, since the Board of Directors felt the fair was a showcase and celebration of American culture that had been attacked without cause. Today, the property purchased by the Society back in 1888 serves the community all year long. More than 160 events are booked into the fair’s buildings and grounds every year. These popular happenings include Street Rod conventions, train shows, motorcycle events and many kinds of trade shows and spectator events. To expand that success, the York County Agricultural Society constructed its new Arena in 2003, creating 114,000 square feet of rent-able year-round exhibit space for the York Expo Center and a new home for all the livestock events during future celebrations of America ’s First Fair. In its first year of operation, the Arena hosted the Grand Ole Opry, graduations, conventions, car shows, trade shows and a major political rally for President George W. Bush.

In 2018 the decision was made to change the dates of the Fair to the end of July and into early August, as well as change the name to the York State Fair. The date change would allow for higher quality concert entertainment, more livestock entries, better weather, and more participation from the youth visiting the fair. The 2020 York State Fair will be held July 24-August 2.


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