York Town Square

The printing on this photograph shows the consumption of Bury’s Famous Hamburgers at the York Fair circa 1940. Bury’s burger stands remain a staple of the York Fair. Also of interest: Teddy Roosevelt at the York Fair: ‘I know York county farmers are prosperous. Their barns are bigger than their houses’ and This York Fair mural is fading from sight and Good old days at the York Fair were at least old.

After the York Fair released a sampling of milestones and that list was posted on ydr.com, people started commenting on it.
One of most poignant recalled a bad day at the fair: “I will remember going to the fair on “Student’s Day” September 11th, 2001 … a Tuesday I will never forget.”
These events also might bring memories, hopefully with more positive memories.
Here’s that list:

2010 — Animal Birthing Center opens inside Toyota Arena.
2009 — Two new free stages added: First Fair Stage outdoors and Heritage Hall Entertainment Center indoors.
2008 — First nightly harness racing begins.
2004 — The largest fair pumpkin ever on display, weighing more than 700 pounds.
2003 — 114,000 square-foot Toyota Arena opens as new home for livestock events.
1997 — Fair expands to a 10-day operation.
1995 — Memorial Hall more than doubled with East wing added.
1992 — Bungee jumping popular for a few years at the York Fair.
1985 — The Budweiser Clydesdales made their first appearance.
1981 — Alabama first appears on the grandstand — a feat repeated more than 20 times.
1980 — Reithoffer Shows begins as the midway amusement operator.
1975 — Fair expands to nine days with first rodeo and demolition derby.
1964 — First time baby chick incubation appears at the fair.
1960 — Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy made a stop during campaigning.
1958 — York Paid Firefighters begin selling steak sandwiches.
1955 — Memorial Hall opens, allowing outside events throughout the year.
1953 — First Chicken Bar B-Q opens on the grounds.
1949 — The York Jaycees open their baked potato stand for the first time.
1948 — “A World’s Fair at Home” was the fair slogan that year.
1942 — Fair moved from October to a September timeframe.
1937 — James E. Strates Shows begins as the midway amusement operator.
1932 — The Great Zachinni, the first human cannonball at the York Fair.
1926 — Grandstand opens, ushering in expanded five-day operation, Tuesday — Saturday.
1918 — No fair because of a deadly Spanish influenza epidemic.
1914 — First nighttime fair hours begin.
1906 — Cotton candy becomes a staple item.
1903 — First York Fair auto race was held.
1902 — (and perhaps earlier) Waffles and Ice Cream become a permanent fair food. Ostrich racing popular as well.
1890 — Balloon ascensions took place.
1889 — First midway ride — a steam-powered carousel.
1888 — The fair moved to its third and current site covering 73 acres, later expanded to 86.5 acres.
1862-1865 — Fair closed in Civil War years.
1856 — Newly formed York County Agricultural Society moves three-day fair to 7 acres on the southeastern side of York city.
1812 — During the War of 1812 troops camped on the grounds.
1765 — Two-day York Fair begins in the City of York, 11 years before our nation was founded.
What are your favorite memories?
Talk about your York Fair memories on the Exchange or comment below.
And here’s a sampling of past York Fair posts:
JFK received grand applause at York Fair visit.
Young curators produce York Fair exhibit: ‘A Fair of Our Own’.
All’s Fair blog gives all kinds of insight about York Fair.
Both Yanks, Rebs camped at old York Fairgrounds.
‘The lower she sank in her chair’.
Also:
– All York Town Square posts from the start. (Key word search by using “find” on browser.)
Photo courtesy of York County Heritage Trust.