96-year-old Al Shade was presented a certificate recognizing his lifetime achievements by Lebanon County Commissioners Mike Kuhn and Robert Phillips at the fair Tuesday.

Mike Kuhn puts his hand on Al Shade’s shoulder during his presentation. (Emily Bixler)

On top of being the oldest active country performer in the U.S., Shade is the oldest of any genre to perform at the Lebanon Area Fair.

“I’m 96 years old and still going strong,” Shade proclaimed Tuesday, before launching into a song including yodeling most 26-year-olds couldn’t dream of achieving.

Al Shade yodels Tuesday.

In 1973, Shade was the first ever performance at the Lebanon Area Fair — which started out with just tents and a refreshment stand its first year at the now-grounds of the Expo Center in 1969 — and has performed every year since.

Read More: For 60+ years, the Lebanon Area Fair has been one of county’s biggest attractions

Shade was a staple of local country culture going back even further, though. He was a regular radio show throughout the ’50s and ’60s, airing on WLBR as he proudly proclaims in his original song I’m a Star on WLBR.

A WLBR schedule from Sept. 6, 1953, Lebanon Daily News. Al Shade & the Short Mountain Boys are listed on the middle right.

Read More: Myerstown singer Al Shade is country, proud and still going strong in his 90s

Even with his accomplishments over the years, Shade is still writing. Tuesday, he shouted out his new release, Home, which he first sang to himself in his kitchen just last year.

Phillips described Shade as a “national treasure,” with Kuhn echoing that statement.

Commissioner Robert Phillips congratulates Al Shade.

“You’re a real Lebanon county legend and an American legend,” he said before handing off the certificate.

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Emily Bixler was born and raised in Lebanon and now reports on local government. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and going for hikes.

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