The New Holland Farmers Fair is an event steeped in tradition, yet it is new and different each year. This year, the Farmers Day Association, which organizes the fair, is celebrating the 90th event, and the directors have made some changes to keep things exciting.

The 2022 New Holland Fair will be held from Wednesday, Sept. 28, through Saturday, Oct. 1, on Main Street, Roberts Avenue, Franklin Street, and Fulton Street. The fair will kick off on Sept. 28 with the parade, which will begin at 7 p.m. The fair will feature a midway, exhibits in a range of categories, a long john eating contest, pet and baby parades, games, and a variety of food vendors.

Fair president Paulene Redding has been handling the parade for many years. In 2021, she changed the lineup based on requests from high school bands that travel to take part. This year, Redding has designated specially priced sponsorships for Division 1 of the parade to help cover the costs of upgrades to the association's building at the corner of Roberts Avenue and Franklin Street. Those wishing to help with this effort may call 717-354-5880.

New this year will be nightly entertainment on a stage at the corner of Main Street and Custer Avenue. The Kracker Beez will play on Thursday, Sept. 29. The Jess Zimmerman Band will perform on Friday, Sept. 30, and Josh Squared Band will take to the stage on Oct. 1. "It's going to be a lot of fun. It's really good quality entertainment," said Kristie Overly, who handles premiums for the fair.

This year New Holland will select a fair queen to send to the state competition. The crowning of the queen will take place at the Farmers Fair building on Monday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Queen candidates must be exhibiting something in the farm show, and the queen will be judged based on a personal interview, knowledge and experience of New Holland Fair, a presentation about the New Holland Fair, a written essay, poise, appearance, and ability to communicate. The queen and her court will ride in the New Holland parade. Judges will include Eileen Sama, Cindy Potts, and Abigail Emerson.

One returning event will be the tug-of-war competition, with a first prize of $1,500. This year, the competition is open to youth groups, sports teams, and other groups. The bucket brigade competition, once held only between fire company ladies' auxiliaries, is planned this year for teams of all women or mixed teams.

The animal competitions will be held in the tents on Fulton Street. Swine will be judged on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 5:30 p.m. Goats will be judged at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, and sheep will be judged the same day at 4 p.m. The competition is open to 4-H and FFA members from Lancaster County.

Overly encouraged those dropping off exhibits to do so early if possible. She also noted that the flower exhibit has moved to Warehouse 100 on Franklin Street and that bingo will be held there as well. "This will be great because it's big and open," she stated.

Overly hopes to see plenty of area residents enjoying the fair this year. "Come, come, come," she said. "The more the merrier."

More information about the fair may be found at http://www.newhollandfair.org.