A love letter to the Fair from Visit Lebanon Valley

“There is just something special about attending the Fair.” – Katie Werner

Here in the Lebanon Valley, the Lebanon Area Fair is as much of a tradition as a field trip to the Cornwall Iron Furnace in elementary school. So, when it comes to a summer spent right in the Valley, a night at the Fair is essential. We promise it will make for a night filled with fun memories, delicious fair food, adorable farm animals, and bologna… Don’t worry, we’ll explain later!

Voted by county residents as the Lebanon Valley’s Best Local Event, the Lebanon Area Fair showcases what Fair volunteer Katie Werner describes as “the best of Lebanon County.” From the livestock entries, sewing projects, vegetables, and baked goods of FFA and 4H members, to the demolition derby, carnival rides, rodeo, petting zoo, and live entertainment, the Fair is truly a special time for many, both near and far.

For Werner too, the Fair holds a special place.

“I love the tradition of the Fair. Generation after generation continue to bring their kids to the Fair that they grew up loving and attending,” she says. “It’s a place to catch up with old friends, make memories with new friends, and spend time at a place the whole family can enjoy.”

With over 50,000 attendees and some 8,000 exhibitors each year, the Fair is one of the largest attended annual events in the county and is essential in promoting tourism and local pride in the Lebanon Valley community. Here at Visit Lebanon Valley, the official tourism bureau for Lebanon County, “We value and honor the productivity of our land and farmers and the essential role that agriculture plays in the health and happiness of our community,” says Visit Lebanon Valley President Jennifer Kuzo. “When it comes to promoting our county and educating people about the importance of agriculture in the Lebanon Valley, the Fair truly sets the standard.”

To celebrate all that we love about the Lebanon Valley and the Lebanon Area Fair itself, Visit Lebanon Valley has decided to build the World’s Largest Lebanon Bologna Sandwich at the Fair’s Community Night on Tuesday, July 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. With this 150-foot sandwich, we are taking one our favorite Lebanon Valley catchphrases, “good food and plenty of it,” to the next level.

The sandwich will bring together some of the best foods made here in the Valley, including handcrafted French bread from Chef Brian Peffley of the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center, provolone cheese from Country View Grocery, and, of course, Lebanon Bologna made by local favorite Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats. Once the sandwich is completed, all 150 feet will be sliced and served for free to fairgoers in attendance, and toppings will be available at the accompanying Fixin’s Bar.

“This event will bring excitement, intrigue, and something new to look forward to for those that have made the Lebanon Area Fair part of their family’s tradition,” says Werner, “Hopefully it will also entice new families to come and check out the event and see what else the Fair has to offer.”

A night where history is made and eaten is sure to be a summer highlight, but we are hopeful that the impact of the World’s Largest Lebanon Bologna Sandwich will go beyond just one night through sandwich sponsorships. Prior to the event, both individuals and businesses alike can sponsor one foot “bites” of the sandwich at $100 apiece. Each sponsorship will go directly to Lebanon County Christian Ministries (LCCM) in an effort to take a bite out of hunger in the Lebanon Valley. With a 150-foot sandwich, that’s a potential of $15,000 to be donated to LCCM in their mission to help those in our community who are suffering with food insecurity.

If you or someone you know would like to sponsor the sandwich and join the fight against hunger in the Lebanon Valley, fill out the form here. For more information about the World’s Largest Lebanon Bologna Sandwich, visit our website.

Take a bite out of hunger with Visit Lebanon Valley

The Lebanon Area Fair runs from Saturday, July 22 through Saturday, July 29. Daily admission is $5.00 from 3 p.m. to close and free all day for children under 10 years of age. Don’t miss this yearly highlight, and if you’ve already got it planned, why not come on Tuesday night? Dinner’s on us!