MESHOPPEN, Pa. — The last day of the Wyoming County Fair in Meshoppen has been canceled because of weather conditions.
Fair organizers made the announcement on their Facebook page on Monday morning.
Officials said inclement weather and the possibility of flooding conditions force them to close.
Pull down the flags, load up the animals, and hit the road. The Wyoming County Fair in Meshoppen was cut short by steady rainfall, turning the fairgrounds to puddles and mud.
Traditionally, the final day brings 4,000 to 6,000 visitors out to the fair that started in 1857, but this year there were no lines at the gates, just a sign that reads "closed."
That meant Teri Brogdale's "Silly Socks" were packed to leave a day early.
"I have no-shows, knee-highs. I have women's. I have 75 different dog breeds of socks."
The New York resident says her first year at the fair was fruitful but could've ended on a higher note.
"It's a little disappointing, but knowing the weather and that people wouldn't come out, probably, in the pouring rain, it's fine."
Wyoming County Fair organizers say this is the first time they've ever had to cancel a day of the fair, but with the wet weather coming in, they wanted to avoid what happened in 2021."
"The safety of our guests is foremost in our thoughts, and our vendors. I know a lot of people just remember last year and the disaster that happened here on the opening day of the fair when it was just literally a mud pit," said Pam Burke, the fair's secretary.
"We're obviously a little bit sad that the fair was canceled for the last day," said Jennifer Seward. "But with the weather, it would be very hard for fairgoers to enjoy the day here at the fairgrounds."
We found Jennifer Seward from Maple Hill Farm and Apiaries organizing jars of fresh local honey inside one of the fair exhibition halls. Despite the rainout, many vendors here say they're already looking forward to next year.
"We do plan on returning. We love being here, and this is our hometown area and our county," Seward said. "We do plan on being back."
Now, the fairgrounds have a full year to dry out.
The Wyoming County fair kicked off last Wednesday and was scheduled to run through Labor Day.
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