New Holland Farmers Day Association Plans Annual Celebration

Paulene Redding, president of the New Holland Farmers Day Association, is game to tackle the tough stuff, and she believes the tough stuff can get done when the community pulls together. Case in point, the second floor of the New Holland Farmers Day Association, 101 W. Franklin St., New Holland, needed to be cleaned following construction to make it pristine for the needlework displays at this year's fair. "I invited (committee) chairs and board members to clean up after the construction," shared Redding. "I said, 'Let's get together for pizza and snacks and turn on some music. Everyone bring a bucket and rags.'"

Redding brings that same spirit to the organization of the New Holland Farmers Fair activities. This year's 93rd annual event will kick off with the annual fair parade at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Rides, carnival games, contests, food, entertainment, and more will be part of the celebration, which will last through the evening of Saturday, Oct. 4.

One event that is held prior to the parade is the New Holland Fair queen competition, which is open to young women ages 16 to 20 who live in ELANCO, Pequea Valley, or Conestoga Valley school districts. This year's competition will be held on Sunday, Sept. 28. The fair queen competition will be sponsored by New Holland Auto Group again this year. Redding, who organizes the parade, said that all the sponsor spots are full this year. Premium spots raise about $12,000, which will be used to aid in paying off the new elevator in the Farmers Association building. "Our honor band is Central York Middle School Fife and Drum," stated Redding, who added that six high school bands will take part in the parade and that the Lincoln University Orange Crush band is returning. "I remember the first time we saw them," recalled Redding. "They did a Michael Jackson move, and it was pretty cool." Redding expects up to 17 bands will march in the parade, including the Fralinger String Band.

Parade attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to a drive organized by CrossNet youths and Garden Spot Village residents during the parade. Collected food items will be donated to the CrossNet Food and Nutrition Center.

Nightly entertainment was introduced during the 2022 fair. This year, performances will be held on Towne Centre Green from 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, and Friday, Oct. 3, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 4. "Entertainment is all free, and it's a mix of musical acts - rock, country, oldies," announced Redding.

The petting zoo will return to Franklin Street across from the farm show building and near the merry-go-round. Junior Fair Board members have painted signs to help guide fair attendees to the animal exhibits, including sheep, goats, and swine, which will be located on Fulton Street. This year, rabbits will be exhibited once again. "We have 30 signs they painted with jokes and pictures of animals and fun facts to lead people down to the animals," noted Redding.

The Junior Fair Board has also lobbied for a talent show, which will be held on Towne Center Greene on the morning of Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. "Just show up and show us your talent," said Redding, who added that volunteer T-shirts were designed by Junior Fair Board member Bella Jones and sponsored by Case New Holland.

In an effort to involve more young people in fair activities, Redding has enlisted IU13 students to hang parking signs and clean up after the parade, as they have for the past two years. "We also met with (ELANCO School District superintendent Dr. Michael) Snopkowski," said Redding, who noted the administrator has "gone out of his way to" contact students and teachers to participate. "For the first time in several years, the Class of 2027 members will carry the band sponsor signs in the parade," shared Redding.

Those who wish to purchase ride tickets early may obtain them from Boy Scout Troop 48, Yoder's Country Market, Stauffer's Drug Store, New Holland Church of the Nazarene, and the farm show building beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Children who wish to enter the coloring contest may pick up pages at the ELANCO Library or find them online at http://www.newhollandfair.org.