By Steven Hoffman
Staff Writer

When the 94th Unionville Community Fair & Farm Show takes place from Oct. 5 to 7, the community will have the opportunity to see the largest display of agriculture products in Chester County, as well as numerous family-friendly activities and attractions during the three-day event. Some of the fair’s best attractions will be reliable favorites, but there will be plenty of new activities, too.

“We have many exciting additions for this year's fair, which is themed ‘Fun, Families, Farm, Fair,’” said Deborah Deckman, the president of the fair.

The fair opens to the public at 9 a.m. on Oct. 5, but the final preparations of the year-long process of planning for the event will take place in the days leading up to that opening. Wednesday is the day that the exhibit entries will be registered. Exhibitors can bring their entries to the barn from 2 to 9 p.m.

The exhibit barn, which had previously been known as the Red Barn, is now light yellow after an extensive renovation that included a new roof and new siding that will keep the exhibits dry if there is rain at some point.

The judging of the general exhibits will take place on Oct. 4.

At 8 a.m. on Friday, food vendors will begin to set up, and the event officially opens at 9 a.m. From 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., school tours will take place. The Giggles & Grins children’s activities are open from 2 to 6 p.m. A lip sync contest will take place on the main stage from 6 to 8 p.m., with fair favorites Dan & Galla leading the show. Dan & Galla will also entertain the crowd during the family dance that takes place from 8 to 9 p.m. The fair closes at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, the fair is open from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Farm Show 5K Run & Walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. The run will start at the fairgrounds and and go through the cross-country course on the Willowdale Steeplechase grounds.

One of the highlights of the fair each year is the large number of craft vendors. On Saturday, the craft vendors will have their products on display from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., while food vendors will be set up from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“Many of our faithful vendors are returning,” Deckman said, “and we look forward to seeing what new crafts and foods they have available.”

The Pennsylvania sponsored baking contest entries will be at the exhibit barn from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Giggles & Grins Tent is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting with the scarecrow-making contest, which will be set up in the Giggles & Grins Tent from 10 a.m. to noon. Dan & Galla will return to the main stage from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., performing their unique brand of music.

Other highlights include the Junk Rock Band at various venues throughout the fair. A horseless horse show will be held in the paddock area at 11 a.m. Anyone who wants to try mechanical bull riding can do so from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Storyteller Robin Moore will perform in the Storytelling Tent from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and again from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. A Lego robotics demonstration begins at noon. Also at noon, crafts with the Kennett YMCA will be taking place in the Giggles & Grins Tent.

The Give & Take Jugglers perform at 12:30, and then they will be roving around the fairgrounds to entertain the crowd. A dairy show is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m., followed by a cow-milking contest, which is always a popular event, Deckman said.

The Salometer Band, Brianna Greeley, Ansuska Akki, and other local talent will perform from 4 to 7 p.m.

The beer and wine garden will open from 7 to 9 p.m. for an additional charge.

Danielle Chamberlain, a board member and past president of the fair, said that she's looking forward to the hayrides and the new beer garden as additions to the event. “I am also looking forward to my daughter Lauren's outgoing Fair Princess speech, and watching her crown the next Fair Princess,” Chamberlain said.

Another highlight on Saturday night will be a concert by Big Package.

The fair closes on Saturday at 9 p.m., and then opens again at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7. The craft vendors, Giggles & Grins, and demonstrations all take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dan & Galla will be performing on the main stage from 10 to 11 a.m.

Robin Moore will be performing in the Storytelling Tent from 10 to 11 a.m., and again from 1 to 2 p.m. At 11 a.m., the horseless horse show will be held in the paddock area. The Lego robotics demonstrations start at noon. Cow pie bingo, with Dan & Galla leading the show, will take place starting at 4 p.m.

The closing ceremonies with Deckman and Dan & Galla will take place in front of the exhibit barn at 4 p.m.

That will be followed by an auction of all unclaimed exhibits, decorated goods and more at the front of the exhibit barn.

Fees are required for some activities during the fair. All the entertainment, events, venues, and times are subject to change. For more information, visit www.ucffair.org.

The fair will take place at the fairgrounds behind Landhope Farms, near the intersection of Route 82 and Route 926 in Unionville.