The historic York Fair is held yearly at the York Fairgrounds (York Expo Center) which is located at 334 Carlisle Avenue in York, PA 17404. The York Fair is known as “America’s First Fair.” The first York Fair was held in 1756, well before the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776.
At first, the York Fair was an agricultural market event that lasted for only two days and was held at what is now known as Penn Park. The fair became a three-day event in 1853 after the York County Agricultural Society was formed. In 1856, a new fairground was established on 7-acres of land that the Agricultural Society purchased in the City of York near the current King and Queen Streets. In 1888, the York County Agricultural Society purchased 73-acres of land, as the 7-acre site was no longer large enough to accommodate the expanding fair. The York Fair continued to grow, changed and expanded and is still held on that 73-acres of land. This is now the property of the York Expo Center.
The York Fair, held every September, is now a 10-day affair that draws huge crowds. There were over 642,000 people who visited the Fair in 2012. That was up by over 42,000 since 2010. You will not be bored because there is so much to do and see. There are rides, food, shows, music and live entertainment throughout the day, and big-name stars in concert. The York Fair features livestock such as horses, pigs, sheep, goats, cows and other animals. There are also games, exhibits, vendors and much, much more. The Fair has something for the entire family to enjoy.
With all the walking throughout the day, you will be glad to know that there are many benches located throughout the grounds, as well as pavilions and rest areas so that you can sit down and rest if you need to. There is convenient parking available for over 4,500 vehicles, and there are also first aid facilities and baby services centers.
There are many hotels in York, PA that are in close proximity to the York Fair. Many of the hotels are pet-friendly. Some of the hotels that are closest (between 1 and 4 miles) to the fairgrounds are the Best Western Westgate Inn located at 1415 Kenneth Road, The Yorktowne Hotel at 48 East Market Street, the Wingate by Wyndham at 105 State Street, Days Inn and Suites at 334 Arsenal Road and the Super 8 Motel-York at 40 Arsenal Road. Other hotels, all located in York, PA, are the Econo Lodge-York at 222 Arsenal Road, Four Points by Sheraton at 1650 Toronita Street and Rodeway Inn at 132 North George Street.