The opening ceremony of the Carbon County Fair brought together local and state leaders on a warm summer Monday to celebrate agriculture, community, and volunteerism at an event deeply rooted in tradition and service.

State Sen. Dave Argall welcomed attendees and praised the sense of community and family that defines the fair.

“This is the fun part of agriculture in the agribusiness — the agritourism,” he said. “We’re in a community together. There are churches here, there are Lions Clubs here. This is the whole community coming together.”

Argall, who represents Carbon County and parts of Schuylkill and Berks counties, shared that he planned to return to the fair later in the week with his 2-year-old granddaughter.

“She is just going to love it,” he said. “As I walk through here, I saw a lot of stuff that she and all of you are going to enjoy again and again and again.”

State Rep. Doyle Heffley also addressed the crowd and acknowledged the challenges the fair has overcome in previous years.

“I have to say the weather is really nice, a little warm, but much better than it has been in years past,” he said. “I’ve been here in floods. I think last year we had maybe a tornado. We’ve been here in 100-degree heat.”

Heffley emphasized the hard work of volunteers, particularly the Lions Club.

“I really want to commend the Lions and Lionesses for all their work and all their dedication … Events like this don’t happen in a vacuum,” he said.

He also acknowledged the important role of youth and agriculture.

“Every year, I try to get a photo with all the young members of 4-H and see the members of 4-H and how they’ve grown over the years,” he said. “What an opportunity it is for children to work with their animals here.”

State Rep. Jamie Barton, who represents parts of Schuylkill and Berks counties, echoed the importance of agriculture to the region.

“A lot of people don’t know it, but the number one industry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is agriculture,” he said. “What better way of celebrating than with our friends and family?”

Carbon County Commissioner Mike Sofranko also took the podium and welcomed the crowd on behalf of the board of commissioners.

“Without volunteers in all of Carbon County, this doesn’t happen,” he said. “Without the fair board, this doesn’t happen. Without the 4-H and the youth, this doesn’t happen. And the number one thing — without the local farmers we have here in Carbon County, this does not happen.”

Sofranko emphasized the economic and emotional impact of the fair.

“Look around,” he said. “You will see the economic impact that each and every one of these individuals have on Carbon County. We can’t put a price tag on that.”

Schuylkill County Commissioner Barron “Boots” Hetherington, also a farmer by trade, underscored the reach of agriculture across Pennsylvania.

“One in every seven Pennsylvanians supports agriculture and food production,” he said. “Not everybody owns a farm, but that beef has to be processed… People drive feed trucks… People drive milk trucks.”

He shared that he once served as Pennsylvania’s fair ambassador and visited 109 agricultural fairs across the state.

“Each is a great celebration of agriculture,” he said. “We appreciate the Lions Club and everybody who helps the fair happen.”

Alicia Silliman, the Lions Club District 14 First Vice District Governor, also addressed the crowd.

“Today, our grounds are alive with laughter, discovery, and the unmistakable joy that comes when a community unites in celebration,” she said. “Your presence here is not just valued — it’s essential.”

She reflected on the Lions’ service mission.

“Since our founding in 1917, Lions Clubs around the world have dedicated themselves to the principle that where there is a need, there is a Lion,” she said. “This is not just a motto. It’s a lived commitment.”

Silliman said the fair is more than entertainment. “

Every ticket purchased, every treat enjoyed, every booth visited — they all help to fuel our service projects locally and beyond,” she said. “Each laugh and each moment of wonder is a building block in a foundation of hope for those who need it most.”

The service initiatives supported by the fair, she added, include over 200 vision screenings at local schools, food pantry partnerships that provided more than 1,000 meals, and disaster relief efforts in flood-stricken areas.

Silliman also shared that District 14U, which includes Carbon, Monroe, and Pike counties, gave over $27,000 to the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital for pediatric cancer programs.

“They were able to purchase new furniture, play equipment to make the children less fearful of procedures, and money to provide fuel, food, and housing to those families in need,” she said.

Fair President Malinda Fox, who has served in the role for three years, concluded the ceremony.

“I just want to thank you all for coming out today and reiterate about the beautiful weather and just being hopeful that we’re going to have a wonderful week here at the fair,” she said.