NEWFOUNDLAND, PA — Over a century ago, the annual Greene Dreher Sterling Community Fair was a way for a schoolteacher to display her students’ work. Now the fair is marking its 107th year. It celebrates agriculture, the community and much more.

The fair is going on now, through Sunday, September 1. The fairgrounds can be found behind the Wallenpaupack South Elementary School off Main Street (Route 507/191). 

The GDS Community Fair Association was established over a century ago in 1917. The fair has been held annually ever since, with the exception of the years 1955 and 2020. It was canceled in 1955 due to a massive flood that put the fairgrounds under 10 feet of water. There was also no fair in 2020 because of the global pandemic. 

At first, the fair was only open to school children and their families. As it expanded, the amount of fairgoers increased as well. Soon, the fair was open to members of the surrounding communities and later became open to all Pennsylvania residents. Today, everyone who wants to attend is welcome. 

Many community members, myself included, have been attending the GDS fair for as long as they can remember. I had the chance to sit down and speak with local poet and Greentown native Susan Akers Reichman, who has been attending the GDS fair for over 70 years. 

“I remember going when I was quite small,” she said. “I always went with my parents. One thing I remember is that they always had brick ice cream. That’s a Neapolitan square that they put in a cone. I used to think that was wonderful!”  

When asked how she has seen the fair evolve throughout her lifetime, Reichman explained “[When I was younger] the whole community was there. You were so happy because you could see all your old friends, your school friends, your community—and we were all like a big family. Of course there were lots of people, but it was still our community and that’s the biggest part.” 

However, as the fair grew, the number of people who attended grew as well. “There are a lot more people involved from a lot of different places now,” she continued. “It has grown in that way.” 

Additionally, the GDS fair has always been centered around agriculture. One of the main objectives of this fair was to teach the community about farm life and promote an agricultural lifestyle. Rechiman used to register vegetables for the exhibit entries. “People used to come in with baskets full, boxes full, their arms full. They were usually people that you knew. I enjoyed that to no end.” 

Even a century after it began, the fair still leans into its agricultural roots. Livestock and vegetable exhibits, livestock shows, and special events such as an animal dress up contest, an ice cream sundae giveaway, and a cow milking contest are just some of the ways the community celebrates its agricultural origins.

While there are many agricultural events, there are various other events and activities for all ages. From rides, to food vendors, to events such as live bands, tractor pulls and demolition derbies; there is something fun for everyone who wishes to attend. For more information, visit the GDS Fair website for the full list of events and times at gdsfair.org/schedule-of-events/.

Traditional fun at the GDS Fair

There’s too much to list; you’ll have to go to gdsfair.org to see what’s going on and when. But here’s an idea of what you can expect at the fair:

Livestock shows

High school marching bands

Music

A pie-eating contest

A farm animal dress-up contest

The presentation of the essay winners

Tractor pulls

A baby pageant

A turkey-calling contest

And more!

The fairgrounds can be found behind the Wallenpaupack South Elementary School off Main Street (Route 507/191). 

Learn more and get ticket prices at gdsfair.org.