Anna Eustice

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<p>BLOOMSBURG &#8212; In China, 2015 is the year of the sheep, but at the Bloomsburg Fair it&#8217;s the year of the rabbit.</p><p>Fowl are banned from all agricultural fairs in Pennsylvania until January 2016 due to Avian flu, so the feathers and beaks have been replaced with floppy ears and button noses &#8212; more than 800 rabbits&#8217; worth in one building, according to Bloomsburg Fair President Paul Reichart.</p><p>There will be a judging of the rabbits held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, which will be preceded by a 10 a.m. dog show on Sunday, Sept. 27. The dog and rabbit shows are just two of the events the Bloomsburg Fair is hosting during its 160th year of operation. The fair hasn&#8217;t forgotten its roots when it comes to attractions, but it isn&#8217;t afraid to change with the times either.</p><p>&#8220;It was originally an all farm-related fair years ago and we still try to be,&#8221; Reichart said. &#8220;We also have the culture building, an arts and crafts building, an agriculture building and over 200 acres of land. We&#8217;ve also taken one section this year and turned it into a technology area. Imagine seeing that 160 years ago when they didn&#8217;t even have a telephone.&#8221;</p><p>The fair will feature an elephant encounter, a roaming band of musicians playing music on junk (aptly titled Junk Rock) and a fireworks show for the first time in years. The fair&#8217;s 160th incarnation will host a number of nationally known recording artists at the Toyota Grandstand, including rock band Skillet on Sept. 27, bearded legends ZZ Top on Oct. 1 and Josh Turner with Sarah Evans on Oct. 3.</p><p>Fair patrons interested in the event&#8217;s history and the rich agricultural history of the Bloomsburg area can visit the Barton House.</p><p>&#8220;We have the original farmhouse on fair land, the Barton House, which is named after the family who owned it,&#8221; Reichart said. &#8220;It&#8217;s open for display and around that historic area we&#8217;ll have a few demonstrations of different trades being done the old fashioned way. People will also be dressed in period clothing.&#8221;</p><p>The 2014 Bloomsburg Fair drew a crowd of 425,000; Reichart said their goal for this year is 450,000, but weather plays a large factor in attendance. The fair always begins the third Saturday after Labor Day &#8212; a late start time as far as fairs go &#8212; which means the event can feature uncharacteristically cool fair nights that start earlier than they would in August or July. Reichart hypothesizes the start time is due to the fair&#8217;s agricultural heritage.</p><p>&#8220;When it was started the crops were all for the farmers and I think it was a good time to have their fair,&#8221; Reichart said. &#8220;The agricultural community at that time was very large and after they got their corn in and produce off their farms, they had a little time to have their fair.&#8221;</p><p>The Bloomsburg Fair was first a celebration of the agrarian lifestyle, and that&#8217;s still reflected in the fair&#8217;s location, attractions and scheduled start date. It&#8217;s nearly impossible to last for more than a century and a half without adapting though, and the 160th iteration of The Bloomsburg fair is a simultaneously historical, accessible and progressive event.</p><p>History buffs, music fans, cotton candy eaters and rabbit aficionados rejoice&#8212;The Bloomsburg Fair is back, and its noses are cuter than ever.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">A cow is about to be judged at a previous Bloomsburg Fair. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_bloomsburgfair1.jpg</photo0><caption0>A cow is about to be judged at a previous Bloomsburg Fair. </caption0><photoCredit0>Times Leader file photos </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_bloomsburgfair2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">The Bloomsburg Fair offers plenty of edible treats. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_bloomsburgfair2.jpg</photo1><caption1>The Bloomsburg Fair offers plenty of edible treats. </caption1><photoCredit1>Times Leader file photos </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_bloomsburgfair3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Colorful balloons add to the Bloomsburg Fair&#8217;s festive atmosphere. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_bloomsburgfair3.jpg</photo2><caption2>Colorful balloons add to the Bloomsburg Fair&#8217;s festive atmosphere. </caption2><photoCredit2>Times Leader file photos </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_bloomsburgfair4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Fried foods are a fair staple. Here, a concession worker cuts potatos for french fries. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_bloomsburgfair4.jpg</photo3><caption3>Fried foods are a fair staple. Here, a concession worker cuts potatos for french fries. </caption3><photoCredit3>Times Leader file photos </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_bloomsburgfair5.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">A huge crowd mills about the fairgrounds in Bloomsburg. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_bloomsburgfair5.jpg</photo4><caption4>A huge crowd mills about the fairgrounds in Bloomsburg. </caption4><photoCredit4>Times Leader file photos </photoCredit4></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Gene Axton</p><p>gaxton@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p>IF YOU GO</p><p>What: The 160th Bloomsburg Fair</p><p>Where: Bloomsburg Fairgrounds</p><p>When: Sept. 26 through Oct. 3. Gates open at 7 a.m., agricultural attractions open at 9 a.m. vendors open by 10 a.m.</p><p>How Much: Fair admission is $8. Special events at the Toyota Grandstand require a separate ticket. To purchase tickets in advance, visit bloomsburgfair.com, call 570-387-4145 or use the fair&#8217;s mobile app</p><p>Get in free: On Sept. 28 if you&#8217;re a senior citizen or armed forces member. On Sept. 29 or Oct. 2 if you&#8217;re a high school student age 13 to 18</p><p>For More Info: visit bloomsburgfair.com or download the fair app on iOS or Android</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Gene Axton at 570-991-6121 or on Twitter @TLArts</p></shirttailMeta></div>

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160th Bloomsburg Fair to begin September 26 at the historic Bloomsburg Fairgrounds