In my opinion, the fair is the number one event that is hosted in New Holland," said Paulene Redding, the president of the New Holland Farmers Fair's board of directors, "and our continued community involvement is what makes our event so special. Everybody wants to be a part of the fair in one way or another.

"To the community, the New Holland Fair means tradition, a time to gather in the streets with family, friends and community, to reminisce about the old and look for and discuss what is new," continued Redding. "It's an event that celebrates New Holland and its surrounding communities. This will be our 94th year, and it remains an event that people look forward to all year long."

Preparations for the 2026 edition of the New Holland Farmers Fair are well underway. They're all leading up to Wednesday, Sept. 30, through Saturday, Oct. 3, when the midway will open at 11 a.m. each day, and the rides will start at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and at noon on Friday and Saturday.

In town, the fair will be staged along Main Street between Railroad Avenue and Custer Avenue, on Roberts Avenue between Franklin and Broad streets and on Franklin Street between Railroad and Custer avenues. Animal judging will be conducted at the New Holland Sales Stables lot.

Many of the fair exhibits will be displayed at the fair headquarters at 101 W. Franklin St., while the flower exhibits will be housed at CrossNet Ministries' Youth Center and the hay, grains and tobacco exhibits will be displayed in Hay Bale Hollow.

"I would classify the vibe of the fair as exciting," said Redding. "Walking through the fair, you can feel the positive energy surrounding you, pulling you in all directions. There is so much calling out for your attention. You can't help but try to look everywhere all at once."

Kicking off the 94th edition of the New Holland Farmers Fair will be the annual Spectacle of Bands Parade, which will form at New Holland Park, step off at 7 p.m. on Sept. 30 and make its way through town before disbanding in the parking lot of Bottle House/Choice Home Remodeling. More than 160 parade entries - marching bands, marching groups, youth groups, nonprofits, commercial floats and local businesses - will participate.

Highlights of the New Holland Farmers Fair will include 80 vendors, kids' day, baby and pet parades, a tug of war, line dancing, pedal power, the Funnel Cake 5K, a new antique tractor show and a new age-7-to-10 category for the fair princess.

"After all of these years, the New Holland fair continues to be a celebration of New Holland and its surrounding communities," said Redding, a resident of Caernarvon Township. "I hope that all who are already involved feel a sense of pride in knowing they are why this is possible. For those who are not involved, I'd like them to find a way to become involved, whether it's through donating their time or becoming a sponsor in some way."

Tens of thousands of local residents, families and community members are expected to visit New Holland over the four days of the fair. Proceeds from the fair, which is supported by dozens of civically minded businesses, will be reinvested in future fairs and go toward maintenance of the fair building.

The New Holland Farmers Fair requires the time, efforts and talents of more than 250 volunteers to be successful.

Inspired by the success of farmer's day exhibits in Lititz, Ephrata and Manheim, a group of five men formed a farmer's day association in New Holland in 1927.

"If you talk to a local over the age of 40, they will call the New Holland Fair the 'farm show,'" said Redding. "I believe the New Holland Farmers Fair has evolved into more of an entertainment event rather than a farming event. It seems that somewhere along the lines the carnival-like feel took over and the farming aspects took a back seat. We should be celebrating farming more, especially with so much farming and the farming industry around us. We've been trying to bring the farm back to the farm show."