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That’s a Wrap: 152nd Annual Grange Fair comes to an end; campers, vendors move out

CENTRE HALL -- The 2026 Centre County Grange Fair came to an end on Saturday evening, with the move-out process for campers and vendors beginning immediately and continuing over the course of a few days.

"It's a long week," says Doyle Henrie, of Nescopek, referring to the 9-day long fair.

Doyle, along with his wife, Sherry, operate "The Spice Man" tables in Building 12 and just completed their sixth year at the Grange Fair.

As the name suggests, The Spice Man offers a variety of spices, spice blends and natural seasonings.

"The fair is very family oriented and we love it," says Sherry, who indicated that the couple's next major event will be the Bloomsburg Fair starting in late September.

In addition to online sales, the Henries attend about a dozen fairs and festivals yearly starting with the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg in January.

According to Grange Fair General Manager Darlene Confer, this year's fair was "very successful," with Confer citing high attendance and exceptional entertainment.

"The Grange Fair has always been about agriculture," says Confer, adding that the fair has received "tremendous support from the community," especially with regards to organizations that benefit from that support, such as the 4-H and the Future Farmers of America (FFA).

Confer, who has served as the general manager of the fair for about 20 years, says that this year's Junior Livestock Sale will likely set a record for the Grange Fair.

Confer also highlighted the Grange Fair's celebration of America 250 and the new Legacy Mistway near headquarters.

Regarding the annual Grange Fair Parade, Confer noted that it was "really unfortunate" that this year's parade was cancelled due to severe weather concerns, adding that it was a decision "not easily made."

For many, the end of the fair means the start of school. Such is the case with high school senior Sarah Mellott, of Warriors Mark.

To say that Sarah had a busy Grange Fair this year would be an understatement. Crowned the 2026 Grange Fair Queen on Aug. 19, Sarah estimates that she made approximately 30 appearances in her role as queen since receiving her crown from 2025 Queen Grace Novosel at the coronation ceremony.

"The fair was not only eventful, but it was an opportunity to meet people," says Sarah, with her mom, Raelene Mellott, noting that it was a "whirlwind experience."

Sarah capped off the 2026 Grange Fair just as many other longtime fairgoers might do; helping her family move out of their tent site on Rhone Avenue.

Sarah will be representing the Centre County Grange Fair at various events over the next year, with an upcoming appearance scheduled for the Nittany Antique Machinery Show which starts on Sept. 10 at Penns Cave.

While the rows of vendors Sunday morning were mostly quiet, a few places were open to serve breakfast and coffee to those getting an early start at moving out.

Phil Poorman operates "Mr. Sticky" on the southside of the fair, serving sticky buns, coffee and other treats.

Poorman, who estimates he's had a stand at the Grange Fair for about 25 years, says that he attends a few dozen events annually, with the summer being "pretty much non-stop."

Poorman says that Mr. Sticky's next stop will be the Juniata County Fair in Port Royal.

When asked if Mr. Sticky will be back at Grange Fair next year, Poorman exclaimed, "Oh yeah."

In tent row North-2, Michelle Lane and her niece Kimberly Shoemaker were getting ready to load up their cars for the move-out.

"I cried last night," said Shoemaker, reminiscing about her late grandfather, Bob Lane, Michelle's father. Bob passed away in 2019, but always looked forward to attending the fair.

"It's the hardest day of the fair," says Michelle, remarking that while she and her family had a great time at the fair, "it's sad when it's over for the year."

In tent row North-10, Raelene Decker echoed Lane's sentiments.

"I hate this day," says Raelene, referring to the end of the fair for the year, saying that it was "great seeing so many friends."

Raelene and her husband, Larry, will make several trips to their home in Rebersburg with items from their tent, reversing the process that started nearly two weeks earlier. Their cargo will include furniture, kitchen supplies, as well as decorations and other knickknacks that adorn their tent over the duration of the fair.

Among Raelene's most prized tent decorations is her Grange Fair countdown clock which, just a few weeks ago, was down to single digits.

Unfortunately for Raelene and so many others, the countdown clock is now back up to triple digits.

354 days till the fair.