Kristie Overly, who handles premiums for the New Holland Fair exhibits, is happy to be looking ahead to the 89th annual Farmers Fair after the 2020 event had to be canceled. "We are really glad to be back, and we are looking forward to large, safe crowds," said Overly, who noted that the best part of her work with the fair is seeing children and others earn prizes. "When the kids work on something - a craft, Legos model, or raising an animal - and they bring it to the fair ... (and) when they get a prize, it is so rewarding for us to see," she shared.

The 2021 New Holland Farmers Day Association Fair will be held from Wednesday, Sept. 29, through Saturday, Oct. 2, on Main Street, Roberts Avenue, Franklin Street, and Fulton Street. The fair will kick off on Sept. 29 with the parade, which will begin at 7 p.m. The Spectacle of Bands competition, which is part of the parade, will be held, with the 2019 Cup of Honor winner Downingtown High School leading the parade. The fair will also feature a midway, exhibits in a range of categories, a long john eating contest, a horseshoe pitching contest, a pedal power contest for children, pet and baby parades, games, and a variety of food vendors.

The animal competitions will be held in the tents on Fulton Street. Swine will be judged on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 p.m. Goats will be judged at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, 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.

Safety will be a priority for this year's Farmers Fair. "We want to encourage people to be respectful of others' space," said fair president Paulene Redding. Overly added that the number of sanitation stations available at the fair will be increased. She also requested that those bringing exhibits to the New Holland Farmers Day Association building, located at 101 W. Franklin St., New Holland, do so between 2 and 5 p.m. on Sept. 28 to help avoid crowding.

Redding has been handling the parade for five years. This year, she is changing up the lineup based on requests from high school bands that travel to take part. "It's late (when the parade is over) for high school kids that come from a great distance," explained Redding, who will intersperse high school bands with floats and other participants in the first half of the parade.

Both Redding and Overly noted a need for volunteers for the event. "A significant number of our volunteers are in a more vulnerable population, so we are hoping to attract new volunteers," said Overly, who added that many area residents have expressed interest in keeping the event going. Volunteers who put in a specified number of hours will be invited to a banquet, which will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Yoder's.

Rules and entry forms for exhibits may be found in the New Holland Fair Premium Book, which can be picked up at Yoder's Country Market, Stauffer's Drug Store, or the Tannery Antiques store. Ride tickets may be purchased at those locations and through Boy Scouts New Holland Troop 48, the New Holland Church of the Nazarene, Cavod, and Radio Shack. In addition, all entry information may be found at http://www.newhollandfair.org on the "Contests and Events" page.