Experiencing Culture: 253 Years Later… and We Still Love the York Fair
by Marissa Gaeta
This series features reviews of various cultural events — plays, art galleries, poetry readings, etc. — and interviews with individuals who have a connection with York College’s campus or the city of York, Pennsylvania.
Giant stuffed animals, excited screams, the aroma of delicious-smelling food… the York Fair!
This past weekend signaled the end of the 253rd annual York Fair. And it was amazing this year, like every other year. With everything from free shows to exciting performances, the York Fair certainly brought joy to all who stopped by throughout the 10 days it graced the fairgrounds, beginning on the Friday after Labor Day.
There were so many different free shows and experiences — the Firefighter Training Show; the High Flying Pages Trill Show, Ninja Experience; Rhinestone Roper; the Demo Derby; the Hot Dog Racing Pigs, which included cute little dachshunds dressed up in hotdog costumes; and, of course, the farm animals. Erik Estrada was also a special guest this year at the fair, best known for his role in CHiPs as “Ponch,” where he did a meet-and-greet as well as signed autographs. There was a little something for everyone without the need to shell out a ton of money.
While there were many shows offered for free, there were also some phenomenal events held in at the Grandstand. For the rocker in all of us, Alice Cooper performed opening night at the York Fair, filling the air with his distinctive raspy voice and striking stage features. Other musical performances included 5SOS with guest The Aces, Mercy Me, and Old Dominion with guest Walker Hayes. “American Idols Live!” with guest Forever in Your Mind was also in the line-up. The kids didn’t miss out with the “Sesame Street Live! C is for Celebration!”; naturally, both children and adults alike were spotted grinning and laughing.
For those that wanted a laugh, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias also performed. One audience member described it as “hilarious” and “couldn’t stop laughing.” They also said that during the encore the entire audience started reciting his more well-known jokes about dropping his son off at school when he was younger, having donuts while being pulled over by a police officer, and hearing comments from his friend’s neighbors about his VW. “It was an insane and amazing show to be a part of,” they said.
Aside from the shows, the real meat and potatoes of the fair were the fun-filled rides, games, and iconic American food. For the more easy-going visitors, the Ferris wheel was there to relax on and enjoy the wide view of the city from. But for those looking for an adrenaline-pumping ride, there were, of course, high-speed, spinning, upside-down rides that made the fairgrounds pulse with ecstatic screams. Giant stuffed animals were on display for those wishing to try their hand at games such as ring toss, balloon popping, and water gun races. And the food… oh man. The smell of the different foods ranging from french fries and burgers to ice cream and funnel cake spread through the countless festivities, giving an almost heavenly smell that drew people in, making their mouths water.
Since it was first established in 1765, the fair has always been a place to bring people together. In fact, York Fair is America’s first fair. What does that mean for the fair-goers across time, to be part of an origin story, the preservation of a national tradition? Well, people unite, whether they mean to or not. To share food and laughs. To enjoy time spent with family, friends, and even strangers. From that inaugural day so long ago, that hasn’t changed all that much. Happy, lifelong memories are made here — some of which have spread through many generations, some of which have just recently started. The York Fair is for everyone.
Hope to see you there next year!
Marissa Gaeta is a senior majoring in Biology and minoring in Professional Writing. She considers herself from Philadelphia, Lancaster, and York, PA. Growing up, Marissa always had a wide range of interests in science related-topics as well as the arts, even being published in her high school’s poetry book. She loves movies, anime, good jokes and puns, and having fun with her family and friends (while kicking their butts at Yahtzee). This is her first semester of working on The York Review.
