By Blake Jackson
At the 2025 PA State Association of County Fairs Convention, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding shared the findings of an economic impact study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
The study revealed that the state’s 107 county and local fairs generate $1.14 billion annually, serving as a vital part of Pennsylvania’s $76 billion tourism sector.
These fairs create over 10,700 full-time jobs, while four million annual visitors contribute $673 million in spending to the rural communities hosting them.
Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 bipartisan budget allocated $4 million to the PA Fair Fund. This funding supports capital improvement projects, state agricultural organizations that host fairs, and youth development programs like FFA and 4-H.
The investment not only boosts tourism, generating $21.3 million in tax revenue, but also reinforces Pennsylvania’s position as a national leader in direct-to-consumer farm sales.
"Every dollar Pennsylvania invests in our fairs is a dollar invested in opportunities for a community to thrive, for young people to learn valuable life skills, and for visitors to meet the neighbors who feed them and enrich their lives every day." Secretary Redding said.
“Fairs offer unique opportunities to experience local culture and traditions and make lasting family memories. Fairs fill hotels and inns with visitors who spend in stores and restaurants and inject tourism dollars into hometown economies. Pennsylvania fairs present opportunities for our farmers to sell directly to visitors and compete for prizes that demonstrate the quality of their products and give their small businesses credibility and trust in the marketplace year-round."
Pennsylvania fairs serve as a key intersection between agriculture and tourism. Last year, the state welcomed four million fairgoers who celebrated its agricultural heritage and enjoyed locally produced goods.
Governor Shapiro’s Great American Getaway initiative was launched to attract regional visitors, complemented by a $15 million investment in tourism marketing.
The study, the first of its kind in over a decade, examined the influence of local fair organizations and featured six case studies:
- Great Allentown Fair (167,300 attendees, $62.5 million impact, 600+ jobs)
- Bloomsburg Fair (351,000 attendees, $80 million+ impact, 700+ jobs)
- Warren County Fair (53,900 attendees, $13 million impact, 100+ jobs)
- Washington County Agricultural Fair (64,300 attendees, $23 million impact, 200+ jobs)
- West End Fair (126,100 attendees, $35 million impact, 300+ jobs)
- Westmoreland Fair (67,200 attendees, $17 million impact, 200+ jobs)
For more details on the full study and Pennsylvania’s 2025 fair schedule, visit the PA Department of Agriculture’s website.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-imagixian
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy