The very first West Lampeter Fair was held in 1924, when students attending the West Lampeter Vocational School organized an activity where they displayed their projects. The event took place at the West Lampeter High School on three consecutive days that year in late October. Fast forward to 2021, and the West Lampeter Fair is still running, but much has changed over the years.

The fair relocated from the West Lampeter High School to what is now known as the Community Grounds in 1949, and the board of directors currently has 45 members as opposed to the 13 who served in 1929, the year the fair became a legal corporation. Between 1936 and 1973, several contests, events, and shows were introduced to the fair, such as commercial tomato exhibits, the all-Western horse show, the baby parade, the community play, and the Livestock Queen Contest - now known as the Fair Queen Contest. It may come as no surprise that when comparing the 1924 fair book to the 2021 edition, this year's book is about 225 pages longer.

After 97 years, why do people still attend the West Lampeter Fair? What keeps them coming back?

"We enjoy watching the kids show their prized animals, and the food is always great," said Aileen Lozzi, who lives in Quarryville. "It is a small fair that packs a lot of fun into the week!"

Airville resident Lynne Greist stated, "I enter my canned goods to try and win ribbons. I love seeing all the different entries!"

The 2021 West Lampeter Fair will be held at the Community Grounds, 851 Village Road, Lancaster, from Wednesday, Sept. 22, to Friday, Sept. 24. Festivities will kick off at noon on Sept. 22, when the fair officially opens. Many activities are scheduled for the first day of the fair, such as a children's petting zoo, a tractor parade, and the West Lampeter Fair Queen Contest. Last year, Julie Stinson was named Fair Queen and Kylie Turner was the runner-up. Thursday, Sept. 23, will bring tractor games, the baby parade, and a concert with music provided by the Lampeter-Strasburg High School marching band. On the last day of the fair, there will be an all-Western horse show, a calf roping contest, and a naming of the winners of the Youth Encouragement Awards.

"Getting together with everyone and seeing how the community supports a cause makes everything worthwhile," said Donald Welk Jr., president of the West Lampeter Fair. "People can come and enjoy great food, see people they haven't for a while, and have a good time!"

To learn more about the West Lampeter Fair, visit westlampeterfair.com or search for "West Lampeter Fair" on Facebook.

"The fair is a good way to promote agriculture because people can see where their food comes from and interact with the community," stated Welk. "The fair is agricultural and educational, and we have a very good area to keep it that way."

To view photos from the fair, visit townlively.com/in-the-community throughout the week.