West End Fair Association leaders and others associated with the annual event gathered Wednesday afternoon for the annual appreciation banquet.

“We are trying very hard here at the fair to make it more customer-friendly and safe for everyone,” said Dale “Peanut” Greenzweig Jr., president of the West End Fair Association.

On Tuesday morning, the fair opened early at 10 a.m. for the first-ever sensory friendly event.

“We had 367 people here,” he said.

A few rides, games, attractions and food stands were open. Attendees could experience the fair without the loud noises, bright lights and large crowds, he said.

“I saw so many happy tears. Parents came up to us and shared that this was the first time their kids experienced the fair,” said Julie Weiss, assistant secretary of the West End Fair Association. “This is my life. I’ve been here every day of every year since I was a kid.”

Monday’s afternoon of free rides was anything but a small crowd. Weiss said close to 16,000 attended. A crowd of 21,000 people came out for opening day on Sunday.

Greenzweig thanked all the volunteers and crews that responded to clean up two separate vandalism incidents over the winter.

A couple weeks before the Winter Fair, two fire extinguishers were shot off in the kitchen. Then, a few weeks later, 20 windows were smashed and about a dozen fire extinguishers were shot off.

“That second one was close to $200,000 in damage,” he said. “Both times, our volunteers and crews rushed in to clean it up and make the repairs.”

Chloe Bomgardner, the 2023 Pennsylvania Fair Queen, was one of the special guests in attendance.

“You are all part of one big fair puzzle. There are 107 county fairs in this state. Thank you for continuing to pursue this county fair for future generations,” said Bomgardner.

Her home fair is the Lebanon County Fair. She was accompanied by her mom, Tara.

“Your fair has a lot more trees and food stands operated by community organizations than my fair,” she said.

Giavanna “Gigi” Ukaj, the 2023 West End Fair Princess, and her father, Benny Ukaj were seated near Bomgardner. Sophia Alcamo, the 2023 West End Fair Queen, was away at a college class and will return later this week.

Glenn and Debbie Hinton announced this is the 42nd year that their Elephant Ears concession stand has been in business. The Hintons have been married 44 years.

In addition to this fair, they take their doughy delights to the Carbon County Fair, Palmerton Festival and previously to the Columbia and Montour craft festival.

Over the years, they have added new flavors such as pumpkin cheesecake and sticky bun goo.

“Our grandson’s favorite is the Parmesan cheese, which is served with marinara sauce and buttery garlic, because it is not sweet like the other flavors,” Debbie Hinton said.

The Hintons said their grandchildren love to help serve the dessert and with other areas of the family business.

“Our twin 8-year-old grandsons learned how to use the cash register, and our 5-year-old granddaughter likes to help by wiping down all the tables,” she said. “They are proud of it.”

Guests had a buffet lunch and various dessert options while chatting. Commemorative wineglasses, 2023 West End Fair notepads and pens, candy and vases with black-eyed Susans decorated the tables.

Elsewhere around the fair

Arlene Frailey and Jan Ledwith, from Reeders United Methodist Church, were organizing socks, toothbrushes, toys, crayons, notebooks and other treats for Operation Christmas Child inside the Everett Building.

The items go inside red shoe boxes that will be given to less fortunate children. The program is part of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization.

“Our church is one of the places where people can drop off boxes they have filled,” Frailey said.

National Collection Week is Nov. 13-20.

Frailey and Ledwith were there for a shift at the stand, and then wanted to explore the fairgrounds.

“I try to get here to see the animals, quilts, flower arrangements and other exhibits,” Frailey said.

Donna and Joseph Thomas, of Weatherly, also came Wednesday for their yearly visit to the fair.

“First, we stopped in Jonas to drop off clothing donations at VALOR House,” said Donna Thomas, who is the secretary of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360 in Weatherly.

The organization collected the clothing and she offered to drop it off while in the area.

The couple walked around the Old-Tyme Farm Equipment Association’s barn with antique tractors and farm equipment, located near Gate 3.

“I’m looking forward to relaxing today while we look at these tractors and the various craft exhibits. Later, we’ll get an apple slushie and various fair foods,” said Joseph Thomas.

Lauralee and David Serfass, of Down Home Metal Design, are one of many vendors with tents located near Gate 3.

“Our sales have been good. We both make the signs. There’s a whole process involved,” said Lauralee Serfass.

Around 2 p.m., Dwight “Ike” Christman, a Polk Township Fair Director, was helping residents from Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Home exit their van and get ready for their afternoon at the fair with their caretakers.

Thursday’s highlights

It is students’ day. Students with an ID pay $4 for admission. There will be games at the Ag Ed Arena.

Entertainment includes the Honky Tonk Twins at 2 and 3:30 on the main stage; Levels Dance Studio performances at 6 p.m. in the bandshell; the Black Cat Hell Drivers at 8 p.m. in the arena; and Don’t Back Down, a Tom Petty Tribute band, at 7 and 9 p.m. on the main stage.