Celebrating 250 years of freedom, family, and fairs.

That’s the theme of the 27th annual Carbon County Fair, which will run Aug. 3-8 at the Carbon County Fairgrounds.

As an added twist, the fair plans to hold various events throughout the week to celebrate America250, according to Carbon County Fair President Malinda Fox.

Fox said this year’s fair will once again take place at its current location at 3285 Little Gap Road in Palmerton, and will feature a whole host of activities.

“We’re still on Blue Mountain’s property this year,” Fox said. “We’re in a major fundraising campaign to try to start to raise money for the development of the (new) property.”

The Carbon County Fair purchased a 41-acre plot of land adjacent to 2985 Little Gap Road in Palmerton in 2012. The new land would be twice as big as its current location at 3285 Little Gap Road in Palmerton,

“Our wheels are definitely turning and moving ahead now,” Fox said. “We still have a lot of work to do there on the property, finish cleaning, make sure we get all of our permits, and get our fence installed.”

Fox said the fair plans to have a map of the new fairgrounds on display that will show future plans as to what it will look like for the public to view.

She said the eventual move will result in a permanent home, with the ability to host events all year long.

Fox said there will be more space for vendors, rides, food, entertainment, and more.

She said the fair will still take place the same week as it always has, noting that tradition matters.

Fox noted that after many years, it has cleared its largest hurdle in meeting the requirements set forth by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

As a result, she said they are hopeful that as their engineer leads them through the permit process of Lower Towamensing Township, that they could be in their permanent home by 2027.

New this year

Fox noted that they decided to change the day for both Senior Citizen’s Day and Children’s Day.

She said Senior Citizen’s Day will be held Aug. 4 (Tuesday), while Children’s Day will take place Aug. 5 (Wednesday).

“We are switching Senior (Citizen’s) Day to Tuesday, and Children’s Day to Wednesday primarily because we were always falling on National Night Out for Children’s Day,” Fox said. “So, we thought if we switch it to Wednesday, we may have a better turnout that day.”

Fox noted the fair will also be bringing back the popular Farmer For a Day.

“We’re trying to accommodate,” she said. “Typically when someone is asking for something, we try to do our best to accommodate that.”

Could bingo also return to this year’s Carbon County Fair?

“Over the years, many of our fair patrons have asked about bringing bingo back to the fairgrounds,” according to a post on the fair’s Facebook page. “We’d love to make it happen — but we’re looking for the right organization to help run it.

“If your club, nonprofit, or organization would be interested in organizing and hosting bingo during the fair, we’d love to hear from you. This could be a great opportunity to raise funds while being part of the excitement of the fair.”

Anyone interested or would like more information is encouraged to send a message to the Carbon County Fair.

Daily schedule

• Aug. 3, Fireworks extravaganza, 9 p.m.

• Aug. 4, Senior Citizen’s Day. A Senior Citizen Drawing will take place at 8 p.m., seniors must be present at the Main Stage to win.

• Aug. 5, Children’s Day. From 5-10 p.m., rides for children less than 18 years of age (must be 32” or higher to ride). Wrist bands are $20 on Children’s Day; all other days are $25. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a special drawing for prizes such as 6 bicycles and electronics (tickets available 30 minutes before the drawing). Also on hand will be the Pennsylvania State police, East Penn Fire Company (firetruck), Lehighton Ambulance (first aid), and Robbie’s Balloons & More.

• Aug. 5 and 6, Junk Car Races & Demolition Derbies.

• Aug. 6, The Barnyard Olympics, 5:30 p.m. in the Agricultural area.

• Aug. 8, Small Car Extravaganza in the Arena.

• Other events include Bearly Get’n By, which will do chainsaw carving daily, as well as Boston Bachert doing juggling, magic, circus, and comedy on two weekdays and also on Aug. 8.

• There will also be various competitions, including a baking contest, quilt block contest, Fair Queen program, garden tractor pulls, demolition derby, and livestock schedule.

Entertainment

• Aug. 3, Isaac Cole, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Main Stage

• Aug. 4, The Mudflaps, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Main Stage

• Aug. 5, entertainment to be announced, Main Stage

• Aug. 6, Ole 97, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Main Stage

• Aug. 7, Mystery City, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Main Stage

• Aug. 8, Carol Sexton, 2:30-4 p.m., Richie and the High Street Rockers, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Main Stage

High Stake Bingo

The Carbon County Fair will host a High Stake Bingo Sunday at the Bowmanstown Fire Company. Doors open at noon, with games at 1 p.m.

There will be concession stands, bake sale, basket raffle, cash bar and more.

To purchase a ticket, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/carbon-county-fair-high-stake-bingo or contact Tara at 484-464-5588.