LOCAL

Franklin County Fair may need a new home after Rod and Gun Club doesn't renew contract

Amber South
Chambersburg Public Opinion

The Franklin County Fair may need to find a new home.

The Chambersburg Rod and Gun Club's board elected not to renew the contract with the fair organization. The fair has been held for years on the club's property on Warm Spring Road south of Chambersburg.

The board took action on Jan. 7, according to the announcement mailed to Public Opinion. It added that several club members unsuccessfully attempted to reverse the decision during the Feb. 19 general membership meeting. 

The Franklin County Fair's website lists the 2019 fair dates as July 7-13, however a specific location is not listed. The fair association's address is also the same as the club's. 

More:'New' Franklin County Fair a hit with locals

An aerial shot of the 2018 Franklin County Fair, held at the Chambersburg Rod and Gun Club on Warm Spring Road south of Chambersburg. The club opted to not renew the fair's contract for 2019.

 A page on the website that is supposed to list directions to the fair was empty Wednesday. 

Nobody with the Rod and Gun Club or the fair returned Public Opinion's requests for comments by deadline on Wednesday.

100+ years of the fair

The fair has been held continuously for more than 50 years, but its origins go back to 1853, according to past reporting. 

The fair underwent a transformation in 2017, when it replaced carnival rides with inflatable attractions from Phantom Shadow. There was also a leadership change. 

A number of guests at the 2017 fair told Public Opinion they liked the new attractions. 

In addition to the livestock and product exhibits, attractions have included truck and tractor pulls, a talent show, karaoke contest, concerts, fair royalty contests, and more. 

Prices to attend have been down the last two years. Last year, the price to park was $5 per vehicle (admission was free) and wristbands for the inflatable attractions were $8. 

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