Fair & Festival Glossary
Plain-English definitions of real fair and festival terminology, from lumberjack competitions to the midway.
- Agricultural fairA multi-day community event built around judged exhibition of livestock, crops and home arts.
- Farm showA common Pennsylvania fair name, historically emphasizing equipment, crops and livestock over amusements.
- MidwayThe rides, games and concession strip of a fairground, usually run by a contracted carnival company.
- GrandstandThe covered seating facing a fairground's main track or arena, used for ticketed entertainment and motorsports.
- Exhibition hallThe indoor building holding judged non-livestock entries: produce, baking, canning, needlework and youth projects.
- 4-HA national youth development program, administered in Pennsylvania through Penn State Extension.
- Premium bookThe pre-fair rulebook listing every competition class, entry deadline and cash award.
- Tractor pullA competition where tractors or trucks drag a weighted sled down a dirt track for distance.
- Livestock auctionThe end-of-fair sale where youth exhibitors sell the market animals they raised.
- GrangeA farm fraternal organization founded in 1867; local chapters run several Pennsylvania fairs.
- Demolition derbyAn arena event where drivers collide in older cars until one is still running.
- Funnel cakeFried batter poured in ribbons into hot oil, served under powdered sugar.
- Whoopie pieTwo soft cake-like cookies sandwiched around a sweet cream filling.
- Shoofly pieA Pennsylvania Dutch molasses pie with a flour crumb topping.
- Highland gamesA Scottish-heritage competition of caber toss, hammer throw and weight events, with piping and dance.
- Maple sugaringTapping sugar maples and boiling the sap down to syrup, done in late winter and early spring.