Allentown Fairgrounds

19th century In 1852, the Lehigh County Agricultural Society launched the first of what would become a long-running Lehigh Valley tradition, the annual Great Allentown Fair. The first fair, which was held from October 6 to 8 that year on land east of Allentown's Fourth Street, between Union and Walnut streets, was followed up the next year on a plot of land located between Fifth and Sixth streets and north of Liberty Street, which had recently been purchased by the society and transformed with the construction of a ticket office and two-story exhibition hall, where fair attendees roamed on September 28, 29 and 30, 1853. 20th century Shortly after World War II, the Central States Racing Association (CSRA) held a "big car", now sprint car, race at the fairgrounds. The track reached capacity by 3:00pm with 124,172 paid admissions. ==Current attractions==

The Allentown Fairgrounds currently operates multiple attractions, including: • Grandstand - A large outdoor stage where big-name musicians perform • Farmerama Theater - An amphitheater where talent contests are held and assorted daytime entertainment takes place • Music Tent - A tent where bands perform when an area as large as the Grandstand is not needed • Main Entrance Plaza - An area where special shows, such as juggling acts, are held • Agriplex/Agriland - The fair's agricultural-themed areas During the rest of the year, with the exception of the week before and after the fair, the area beneath the grandstand, and an adjoining building, together host an indoor farmers' market, usually open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, but also open additional weekdays before and after major holidays. The Agriplex buildings also host a wide variety of events throughout the year, which are listed separately on the fair's Web site. ==References==