Middletown Grange Fair 2023: Dates, Hours, Event Schedule

WRIGHTSTOWN, PA — In just a few days, the Middletown Grange Fair will open its gates for another year of agricultural fun and excitement.

With the fair rapidly approaching, director Amber Dilanni spoke with Patch about the upcoming event, scheduled to open its five-day run on Wednesday, August 16 at 10 a.m.

“We’re looking forward to another great fair,” said Dilanni, a fourth-generation Grange Fair volunteer. “You’ll not only enjoy a nice break from the everyday hustle and bustle, but you’ll also see what agriculture looks like in Bucks County.”

This year’s fair is scheduled to run from Wednesday, August 16 to Sunday, August 20 at the fairgrounds on Penns Park Road in Wrightstown Township where thousands are expected to experience Bucks County’s premiere agricultural fair over its five-day run.

“It’s going to be a nice opportunity to spend some time with your family and enjoy one last hurrah before school starts,” said Dilanni.

The event, said Dilanni, will again feature everything people have come to know and love about the fair from its delicious chicken dinner to its exhibition barns, free nightly entertainment shows, and its carnival rides and games.

The always competitive hot dog pig races will be back and running throughout the course of the fair. And the popular tractor parade will again be making its rounds Wednesday to Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 4:30 p.m., and on Sunday at 4 p.m.

At the heart of the fair will be its many animals and 4-H shows. And this year’s fair will not disappoint, said Dilanni.

More than 300 4-H-raised animals, from bleating sheep and squealing pigs to mooing cows, will again fill the fairground barns with the sounds of the farm. The schedule is again packed with shows and competitions throughout the fair's five days.

The fair opens on Wednesday with the rabbit and cavy show, 4-H poultry show (modified), alpaca and llama show, and the 4-H market and hog show.

Thursday brings the goat show and the Stockman’s Contest; Friday spotlights the Holstein and Sheep Shows; Saturday features the Dairy and Beef Cattle Shows; and Sunday brings the Rabbit and Cavy Parade of Breeds.

Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, chickens, roosters, and other poultry won’t be making an appearance at this year’s Grange Fair due to an Avian Flu statewide caution. But look for their return, hopefully in 2024.

Above: The rabbit and cavy show takes place on Wednesday. Skelly will be back with its popular amusement rides. And Scott Dengler takes part in the daily tractor parade. (Grange Fair photos by Jeff Werner)

In the days leading up to the fair, an army of volunteers has been busy transforming the fairgrounds into a mini-city putting up tents, running electric cables, and installing temporary sanitation stations.

“It’s a functioning city with about 300 animals that are right in the middle of it all along with 12,000 items, from baked goods to vegetables and photography submitted for judging by the community and through 4-H,” said Dilanni.

Hutch Hamilton of A Better Way Farm will be returning to the fair this year for the first time since COVID with his team of Belgian draft horses, offering wagon rides (there is a fee) and "Meet the Belgians" informational sessions.

“We’re really excited to see them back this year," said Dilanni.

Kicking off the fair's nightly entertainment schedule on Wednesday will be student performers from the Newtown School of Rock.

Other highlights include “Y’all or Nothin” on Thursday night, “Shameless” (classic rock) on Friday night, the Buzzer Band on Saturday night show, and the Tri-County Band on Sunday afternoon.

Returning this year will be a Kids Corner with games and activities for the little ones and a great place for parents to sit and chill with the kids.

(Grange Fair photos by Jeff Werner)

Of course, no fair would be complete without its food options.

This year's menu is headlined by the Grange Fair's annual chicken dinner to be served on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m.

Other daily food offerings will include Goodnoe Ice Cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, walking tacos, barbecue, specialty coffees, funnel cake, and lots more.

Admission to the fair is free, but there is a $20 fee per vehicle to park. A discounted five-day parking pass will be available for $50.

Proceeds from the parking fee will benefit the Lingohocken Fire Company and Bucks County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 53.

Fair hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the fair including entertainment schedules, visit https://middletowngrangefair.org.