A Nostalgic Celebration of Agriculture and Community at the Middletown Grange Fair
Every August, the Middletown Grange Fairgrounds in Wrightstown, Pennsylvania, come alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of a quintessential country fair. From August 14-18, visitors can experience the charm and excitement that has made the Middletown Grange Fair a highlight of Bucks County for 74 years. Just 6 miles from the Inn at Bowman's Hill, this annual event is a beloved tradition that captures the essence of rural life and community spirit.
The fairgrounds are transformed into a bustling hub of activity, featuring hundreds of exhibits, vendors, animal demonstrations, tractor parades, amusement rides, and live entertainment. Skelly's Amusement provides an array of thrilling rides, including the classic Ferris wheel, the exhilarating Tilt-A-Whirl, the giant swinging Pharaoh's Fury, the kite-flying Cliff Hanger, and the gravity-defying Gravitron. There's no shortage of fun for visitors of all ages — young and young-at-heart.
Agriculture is at the heart of the fair, with 4-H animal shows, Belgian horse-drawn wagon rides, tractor pulls, and pony rides. Attendees can marvel at the skill and dedication of young 4-H members as they showcase their animals and projects. The fair also offers a variety of unique attractions, such as a magic show, a dog stunt show, and the ever-popular pig races.
Each evening, the main stage in the entertainment tent hosts headliner concerts, ensuring there's always something exciting to see. This year's lineup includes the School of Rock Battle of the Bands, Aubrey Rey from American Idol, Jimmy Mowery from The Voice, Pittsburgh-based country artist Frank Vieira, and the Margaritaville-inspired party band Suns of Beaches. These performances are sure to delight music lovers and add to the fair's festive atmosphere.
No fair would be complete without delicious food, and the Middletown Grange Fair does not disappoint. Food trucks and stands offer all the classic fair favorites, from walking tacos and funnel cake to kettle corn and cheesesteaks. Be sure to try the fresh-squeezed lemonade to wash it all down. A highlight for many is the famous chicken dinner, which has been a staple since 1954. This hearty meal includes chicken, corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad, a dinner roll, and dessert.
Admission to the Middletown Grange Fair is free, with a $20 per car parking fee that benefits the Lingohocken Fire Company and Bucks County Fraternal Order of Police. This community-focused approach reflects the fair's roots in the Middletown Grange, a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting agriculture in Bucks County since 1876.
The fair began in 1948 and quickly grew in popularity. By the early 1950s, it featured cattle shows, tractor driving contests, fashion shows, machinery parades, square dancing, high school bands, television personalities, and numerous 4-H activities. In 1966, the Grange purchased the land that remains the fair's permanent home, and the event expanded to its current five-day format in 1997. Over the years, facilities have been added to accommodate the growing number of exhibits and activities, including a judging arena in 1991.
The Middletown Grange Fair has twice been awarded "Fair of the Year" honors by the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs, in 1993 and 2020, underscoring its significance and excellence. Today, it continues to attract hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees, celebrating the rich agricultural heritage and vibrant community spirit of Bucks County. During your summertime stay with us at the Inn at Bowman's Hill, see for yourself the magic and charm of the Middletown Grange Fair that has made it a staple for three-quarters of a century.
