Goshen Country Fair returns for 68th year

Fair runs through Saturday with rides, food, games and farm animals

EAST GOSHEN » As the calendar turns to August, it’s time for the Goshen Country Fair. For the 68th year, the fair will fill the grounds of the Goshen Fire Company with rides, food, games and farm animals. The fair runs all week, 6 to 10 p.m. with a 5 p.m. start on Saturday.

The fair is a chance for local residents to bring home the blue ribbon in areas such as “Best Quilt Square” “Best Ayrshire Cow” “Best Vegetable & Herbs” and “Best Lego Creation.” Each evening features live music as well as events such as a pie-eating contest.

The Goshen Country Fair has a colorful history in Chester County. In 1966 and during the decade of the space race, Goshen Country Fair hosted a demonstration Thor missile on the fair grounds.

There is something for everyone, but the highlight of the evening for firefighters is the annual tug-of-war contest for bragging rights between area fire companies. Each night shortly before 10 p.m., different fire crews will compete. A champion will be crowned Saturday.

This year, 12 departments are taking part. Ten firefighters gather on each side, and without gloves or spikes, they pull until there is a winner.

On Monday evening, as Middletown Fire Company prepared to

compete with Glen Moore Fire Company, the men worked to put grooves into the ground, and gain some leverage, before the whistle blew.

“We’ve been taking part for as long as I can remember,” said West Chester Fire Chief Michael McDonald, who was on hand to scout the competition his crew would face later in the week.

On Monday night, the whistle blew and Glen Moore looked like they had the contest won after two minutes of pulling. But Middletown Found their second wind and roared back to victory.

“It shows the dedication these firefighters have to each other and to their community,” said Goshen Country Fair President Ted Harrison. “Come out and cheer for your local firefighters.”

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Goshen Country Fair runs through Saturday evening.

Mason Rappold of West Chester only needed $5 to win this giant bear at the Goshen Country Fair. She said she won it at the “Wacky Roll” and was hoping it would fit in her room.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Ana Saritsoglou, 6, of Newtown Square, center, took home the $5 prize in the pie-eating contest for girls 8 and under at the Goshen Country Fair. The contest will run throughout the week.

Troop the goat, owned by Stephani Baumeister of Chester Springs, won the best costumed animal at the Goshen Country Fair.

Fairgoers ride the “Power Surge” at the Goshen Country Fair.

Dominic De Antonio, 8,of Brookhaven, is all smiles after a win at the Goshen Country Fair.

The bingo tent at the Goshen Country Fair is a popular spot, and players could pick up a few dollars.

Glen Moore Fire Company competes in the “Tug-Of-War” competition at the Goshen Country Fair. The winner will be crowned Saturday evening.

Vincent Marcozzi and his fellow Middletown firefighters pull in the Goshen Fair Tug-O-War Monday evening. The 10 Delco firefighters defeated Glen Moore Fire Company. A champion will be crowned among 12 area fire companies Saturday night.

The bingo tent at the Goshen Country Fair is a popular spot, and players could pick up a few dollars.