2025 Lebanon Area Fair is officially open

The 2025 Lebanon Area Fair opened its gates to fairgoers on Saturday, July 19, with the excitement of the week to culminate at the Lebanon Expo Center’s track with a demolition derby and fireworks display on Saturday, July 26.

The opening ceremony was hosted by fair board member Dana Lape on the Main Stage on the evening of Saturday, July 19, and featured appearances by local politicians, Chick-fil-A representatives, members of the junior fair board and the fair queen and princess program, and Deborah Hornick of the United Way of Lebanon County, who sang the National Anthem.

“The first day typically tells us how the week is going to go, and from what it has been today, all the people, the weather, it’s been incredible. So, we’re looking forward to the week ahead for sure,” Chloe Bomgardner, co-chair of the junior fair board, which is now in its second year, said in a LebTown-exclusive interview.

Bomgardner said the junior fair board members serve as helping hands for the adult fair board members with organizing Children’s Day, Community Night, and other aspects as needed. “With the heat wave, you know, trying to get fair animals in very quickly, trying to get them all settled in their pens, and all exhibits really. So, it’s been a good week for sure and a lot of hard preparation prior to this week, too,” she said.

Admission is free for community members ages 10 and older between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. and $5 after 3 p.m. daily. Admission is always free for children under the age of 10. Fairgoers can also purchase tickets for games, rides, and track events, some of which may be rescheduled due to weather. Visit the admission page on the fair’s website for more details.

The 69th annual Lebanon Area Fair features games, rides, track events, indoor and outdoor exhibits, a silent auction, live entertainment, and many menus to choose from.

Hungry fairgoers can step right up to the eatery for a grilled bologna or pork roll sandwich, sub, hot dog, fresh-cut fries, ice cream, sundae, milkshake, Italian ice, or slushy.

The eatery will also offer $8 lunch specials, which will be served starting at 11 a.m. until they sell out. The specials are cheesesteaks on Monday (inside eatery), pot pie on Tuesday (inside eatery), chicken tenders on Wednesday (inside eatery), taco salad on Thursday (inside eatery), and fish and fries on Friday (outside eatery).

Bomgardner noted one of the many food and beverage vendors: “There’s one standout in the Midway that has been getting a lot of traffic, especially with exhibitors because they like to open pretty early in the morning and they close pretty late at night, is Cool Beans [Brew]. … You can get anything from coffee to refreshers to water. And they’re just a huge hit.”

Read More: Lebanon Area Fair promises fun for families and fairgoers of all ages

In addition to these offerings, the 2025 fair debuts its merch table in the West Hall, which will allow fairgoers to sport their support of the fair year-round through limited edition sweatshirts, windbreakers, t-shirts, hats, bags, decals, or stickers.

“The Lebanon Area Fair has something for everyone, you know, whether it’s the exhibits that you like to see, the Midway, the food, the rides, even the track events. And if you don’t know, just come on over and see it for yourself,” Bomgardner said. “Really, don’t take what other people say for granted, come out and see it for yourself!”