Westmoreland Fair leaders aim to exceed last year’s 63,000 attendance

Westmoreland Fair organizers are hoping to meet or exceed last year’s record-breaking attendance at the nine-day event.

This year’s fair begins at 4 p.m. Friday at the Mt. Pleasant Township fairgrounds, and will feature motocross races, demolition derbies, an animal auction, food, music and more.

Last year’s event drew 63,000 people, breaking the 2021 record of 60,000. Fair secretary Sarah Sphon said agricultural event entries have increased over pre-pandemic years.

Sphon said she is optimistic about the prospects for this year’s event.

“All fairs are at the mercy of Mother Nature,” she said. “If it’s a good weather week, it’s a good fair week. We’re hoping to have another record-breaking attendance.”

New events in 2023 include Hot Diggity Dog — a twice-a-day show that incorporates dogs, hogs and camels — and a living statue performer who will be roaming the fairgrounds each day.

Other events

Motocross races will take place at 7:30 p.m. opening weekend — Friday and Saturday. Demolition derbies will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday and Aug. 26.

Pittsburgh-based cover band Random Play Band will perform a variety of music genres at 7 p.m. Saturday. Joi & Co. Band will take the stage at 7 p.m. Aug. 25.

Other popular events include Red Eye Rodeo and Monster Truck Freestyle, which will be held at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

Sphon said the truck and tractor pulls also attract high numbers. The event will start at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24.

The truck and tractor pulls will be preceded by the 4-H Benefit Auction, which will raise money for Westmoreland County 4-H programs. It will start at 5 p.m.

An animal auction will kick off the final day of the fair at 10 a.m. Aug. 26.