A new but familiar face will take over a longtime stand at this year’s West End Fair.

The Carbon County Fair recently took over the Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions Club food stand and will set up shop at this year’s fair at the fairgrounds in Gilbert.

Carbon Fair President Malinda Fox said, “Bowmanstown came to us last year and said they were having a hard time with getting help to man their stand, and thought that maybe we would want to take the opportunity to take a year or two, see how the stand went.”

Fox said, “We did that last year; it was great, very profitable. What we did was shared the profits after the bills were paid.”

Fox explained, “They’re just getting little bit older, the help isn’t there.”

“They wanted it to stay with the Lions Club,” she said. “We’re all Lions working together.”

Fox said the stand will have the same menu as the Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions Club had, such as hamburgers, cheeseburgers, sausage sandwiches, meatball sandwiches, hot dogs, cheese dogs, chili dogs, kraut dogs and beverages.

“Last year, we helped them at their stand to step in and see if it was something we were interested in,” she said. “It’s important that we all get out and support our nonprofit agencies and the clubs that are willing to give back to the community.”

Fox said they are looking for volunteers to help them man the stand. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact her at 484-629-0242.

Fox noted it’s the Carbon County Fair’s main fundraiser for the development of the property.

This year’s fair ran Aug. 3-8 at the fairgrounds at 3285 Little Gap Road near Palmerton.

Fox said earlier this month they’re still moving forward with their proposed plans to eventually relocate the fair on a 41-acre plot of land that will be twice as big at its current location.

She said they secured both access points for the fairgrounds, and were moving forward for the permits.

The Carbon County Fair purchased the property adjacent to 2985 Little Gap Road near Palmerton in 2012 “with the hopes of having a forever home.”

Once completed, the Carbon County Fair will have two separate entrances, along with two separate parking lots, and a long roadway connecting both parking lots.

The property is just down the road from its current site on Little Gap Road.

Fox said that for many years, the fair has been incredibly grateful to lease its space from Blue Mountain.

She added the 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 Carbon County 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 permits process of Lower Towamensing Township, that they could be in their permanent home by 2027.