Late summer at the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center & Fairgrounds covers a lot of ground this month, from a night of diesel-powered competition to a rail trail race supporting local first responders and a three-day showcase of gems, beads, and jewelry.
Here’s what’s ahead in August.
Beast of the East Truck Pulls — Saturday, August 8
Engines take center stage when the Beast of the East truck pulls roll into the fairgrounds for an evening of hooked-up horsepower. The lineup spans a wide range of classes, giving spectators a look at everything from street-legal machines to purpose-built pulling rigs.
Competition classes include wild street diesel, 2.6 diesel, and street gas, along with the Atlantic Pro Pulling classes — 3.0 diesel, 4×4 diesel trucks, and 466 hot farm — and the Appalachian Outlaw classes of small block high output and big block high output.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, August 8
- Pit gates open: 2 p.m.
- Spectator gates open: 5 p.m.
- Pulls begin: 7 p.m.
- Admission:
- Ages 10 and up — $15
- Ages 5–9 — $5
- Ages 4 and younger — free
Sixth Annual James Biever Memorial Run — Saturday, August 8
The Sixth Annual James Biever Memorial Run starts and finishes at the Expo Center, with the course following the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. Runners and walkers can choose from a 10K, a 5K, or a 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, making it an option for competitive racers and families alike. A large selection of raffle baskets featuring local businesses, experiences, and prizes will also be on hand.
The run is the James Biever Police-Community Alliance’s largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds support local first responders through scholarships, ACT 120 police academy tuition assistance, leadership and professional development training, mental health initiatives, equipment, and community outreach programs designed to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, August 8
- Registration:
- 5K/10K — $35
- 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk — $20 (children under 10 walk free)
- Sign up: www.jbpca.org/events
- Questions: bieverpolicefund@gmail.com
Gem Miner’s Jubilee Gem, Bead and Jewelry Show — Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23
The Gem Miner’s Jubilee returns for three days of geological finds, with organizers expecting more than 4,000 visitors and over 100 vendors filling the fairgrounds. The show is an exhibition and sale of gems, minerals, beads, jewelry, and collectibles, and it’s a chance to meet source dealers who bring some of the finest collections available directly to buyers.
The August show is the largest of the Gem Miner’s Jubilee events, which also include a Holiday Gift Show in November and a Spring Show in Howard County, Maryland. The venue is handicapped accessible, and parking is free.
Event Details
- Dates and times:
- Friday, August 21 — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, August 22 — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, August 23 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Admission: $6; free for children under 12. Pre-purchase ticket discounts are available online.
- Location: Lebanon Valley Expo, 80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon, PA 17042
- More information: Gem-Show.com for updates, admission discounts, and tickets
Between a night of engine noise, a morning on the rail trail, and a weekend of Earth’s treasures, August offers plenty of reasons to make the trip out to Rocherty Road.
