The fairgrounds in Gilbert will be bustling with activity when the West End Winter Fair returns this Saturday and Sunday.

“We wanted to bring this back to the community and offer something fun for everyone to do in the winter. It’s an opportunity to get out the house and see people you may have not seen since the summer,” said Toni Dorshimer, winter fair committee co-chair.

There will four bands, fire pits to make S’mores, a basket raffle, an array of food, craft and retail vendors, a lantern release, activities for children and more at the fair.

The committee held a winter fair in February 2020 - about a month before the COVID-19 shutdown.

“We began talking a little bit about a 2023 winter fair this past December. We started planning it in January,” she said.

It will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and biodegradable lanterns will be released at 6:30 p.m. Sunday’s hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost is $10 per carload. Entrance will be through Gate 2.

Jeni Hackett and the Cramer Brothers will alternate performances on the main stage Saturday, while Brian Dean Moore Band and Patrick Conklin will alternate Sunday.

The fair committee will make and sell grilled cheese, soups, hot dogs and a variety of baked goods. Beverages include soda, water, hot chocolate, tea and coffee. Pizzas will be made in the Jonas bake oven.

“There are more than 25 craft and retail vendors. Plus, we will have Barley Creek Brewing Company and Mountain View Winery selling their beverages,” Dorshimer said.

Fire pits and chimineas will be spread out through the event area, along with picnic tables and benches. The area will be decorated with lights, snowmen, snowflakes and Christmas trees.

The winter fair will not use the full fairground site. Instead, it will encompass the area around the kitchen, main stage and by the brick oven.

Cow Flop Bingo, which is popular during the summer fair, will be at this year’s winter fair.

“There will be numbered squares. The person who chooses the square where the cow poops is the winner,” she said.

This will be played throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.

There will also be horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, and some livestock exhibitors.

“We will definitely have cows and sheep. Maybe goats and lambs, depending on the weather,” said Jason Smith, winter fair committee co-chair.

A few community organizations will be doing various children’s activities both days. These groups include PVYA Lacrosse, Girls on the Run, 4-H and Girl Scouts.

Girls on the Run will be there Saturday to do some games and crafts. Girl Scouts will be there both days to do a snowflake craft, sell cookies and recruit new members and leaders.

4-H will be there with some animals and do a snowball toss game. The lacrosse players will have gear and nets and let the kids practice shooting.

“All activities run by those groups are free,” said Jen Rufo, member of the winter fair committee.

There will be a basket raffle with a variety of prizes.

“So far, we are up to 72 baskets and people are still donating things,” Dorshimer said.

Baskets include items such as gift cards for Friendly’s and Weis; Scranton Rail Riders game tickets; tickets to the Sherman Theater; tickets to Quiet Valley; four NASCAR tickets; Blue Angels Air Show tickets; and fire pit.

“The drawing will be Sunday at 4 p.m. I’ll have two different dates and times for prize pickup if winners are not present on Sunday,” she said.

One sheet of tickets is $5; five sheets of tickets are $20; and 13 sheets of tickets are $50.

The West End Fair queens “will be doing a little bit of everything to help out, including selling tickets at Cow Flop Bingo and assisting with the children’s activities,” Smith said.

The one thing Dorshimer and Smith cannot plan is the weather. Temperatures around Valentine’s Day were in the mid-50s.

“I would love it to be mild like this week so everyone can come out,” Dorshimer said.